LAGOS/ABUJA (Reuters) - Foreign airlines flying to Nigeria have started to refuel abroad to bypass pricey, and increasingly scarce, jet fuel as the oil producer battles a hard currency shortage that has made fuel available only at a very high price. Spain's Iberia and United Airlines cancelled their Nigeria services earlier this year, and two local carriers also halted operations. WELL-HEELED PASSENGERSDubai-based Emirates has started a detour to Accra, Ghana, to refuel its daily Abuja-bound flight, a spokesman said. The move was aided by a substantial drop in Ghana's jet prices amid tax reform last month, according to the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors. Airlines met with transport ministry officials last week in Abuja to press for fuel at lower prices, industry sources said.

Source: The Star September 13, 2016 04:52 UTC