Nigerians more familiar with UK’s sport, history — British Airways’ survey

Nigerians are more familiar with UK sports and history than their European counterparts, says a survey conducted by the British Airways (BA) in 2016.

Mr Kola Olayinka, the Regional Commercial Manager West Africa at British Airways, said this on Tuesday in a statement he made available to newsmen in Lagos.

It was released through the Quandrant MSLGROUP, the Public Relations outfit that handles British Airways’ media affairs.

“Sport, culture and history are certainly among the reasons to visit London and a British Airways 2016 survey of 4 000 travellers found that Nigerians are more familiar with UK;s sport and history than their European counterparts.

“With up to 14 flights a week, we are offering more seats to London from Nigeria than we ever have before.

“These include seven weekly B777 services to and from Lagos and seven weekly B777 flights to and from Abuja.

“There are up to 14 flights a week to Heathrow from Lagos and Abuja,” he said.

He said these flight schedules would afford Nigerians the opportunities to attend the Chelsea Flower Show and watch the FA Cup Final.

The airline also said that in addition to London, Rome, New York , Paris, Los Angeles and New Orleans were other top destinations for Nigerian travellers in 2017.

He said that intending Nigerian passengers would see fascinating and historic places and events in those cities.

He said that the ticket fare to London would start from $705.

Olayinka said that intending passengers to Paris during spring and summer would participate in the French Open at Roland-Garros amongst others.

He said that the fares would be from $812, adding this also goes for those intending to travel to Rome through BA in 2017.

Olayinka said that intending travellers to New York would long to visit the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

“For the more musically inclined Carnegie Hall is going off-site this season with a new production of West Side Story set in a restored factory in Queens.

“The Lincoln Center’s Columbus Circle base is headlining jazz at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and is hosting late-night sessions with up-and-coming artists.

Olayinka said that the special fares to New York start at $962.

Also, the fares to Los Angeles noted for its burgeoning film business would be from $1,467.

According to him, New Orleans made the list for the first time because many people had begun visiting to enjoy the Mardi Gras parades which started in January and would end on Feb 28 for $1,432.

Olayinka advised intending travellers to make their bookings before end of January by visiting : britishairways.com or their travel agents for further information.

He said that there were also interesting fares available in premium economy and business classes.

All fares are exclusive of taxes, fees and carrier-imposed charges and may fluctuate due to currency exchange, he said.