The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) has formally petitioned the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over the practice of some international airlines selling air tickets in foreign currencies, particularly U.S. dollars.
This practice, according to NANTA, violates the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), a treaty to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The petition was revealed during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the NCAA on November 19, 2024, at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The meeting aimed to address various challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector and was centered on the theme: “Achieving Increased Adoption of Digital Technology in Air Travel Customer Complaint Management: The Regulatory Perspective.”
At the event, industry leaders raised concerns about the growing trend of international airlines accepting U.S. dollars as payment for tickets, despite regulations mandating airlines to charge in naira for flights departing from Nigeria.
While U.S. airlines benefit from an Open Skies agreement that allows them to sell tickets in dollars, other foreign carriers are expected to comply with the local currency requirement.
Yinka Folami, President of NANTA, confirmed that the association had taken the matter up with the NCAA, saying, “We have taken the matter up and we have also written to the NCAA about the same development and they told us that they are looking into the matter already.”
In response to the petition, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, acknowledged receiving NANTA’s complaint and assured that the relevant department would address the issue promptly.
He stated, “I can confirm that NANTA has written to us about the matter and the appropriate quarters will act on it very soon.”
One of the key issues discussed at the summit was the enforcement of passenger compensation rights, specifically concerning delays, cancellations, and overbookings.
Participants called for adherence to Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2023, which outlines the rights of passengers in such cases.
Legal expert First Baba Isa, speaking on behalf of passengers, criticized both local and international airlines for neglecting their obligations, especially when it came to compensating passengers for disruptions.
He highlighted that his chambers was currently handling several cases in court related to poor handling of passengers, including those with physical disabilities.
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“Airlines should address the issue of refund to air travellers.
There are no fewer than seven cases that I am attending to in the courts against some local and foreign carriers, especially the poor way they handle disabled passengers,” Isa said.
He also emphasized that adequate compensation in line with the NCARs 2023 must be paid to affected passengers.
The summit also saw contributions from industry stakeholders such as George Uriesi, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, who underscored the importance of human capital development in the aviation sector.
Represented by Mrs. Amaka Echetabu, Uriesi stated that training and adherence to international standards would improve operational efficiency and contribute to the growth of tourism in the country.
