The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) has formally petitioned the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over the continued sale of air tickets in foreign currencies by certain international airlines. This practice violates the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), a treaty Nigeria is a signatory to, which mandates that airlines operating in the country sell tickets in Nigerian Naira.
The petition was raised during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the NCAA on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The event, themed ‘Achieving Increased Adoption of Digital Technology in Air Travel Customer Complaint Management: The Regulatory Perspective,’ brought together industry leaders and professionals to discuss pressing issues in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
During the summit, stakeholders voiced concerns about the increasing number of international airlines accepting foreign currencies, particularly US dollars, as legal tender for ticket sales. While US carriers benefit from an Open Skies agreement that allows them to sell tickets in dollars, other international airlines are supposed to conduct ticket sales in Naira for flights originating in Nigeria. However, these airlines have continued to breach this agreement without facing significant penalties.
Following these discussions, NANTA President Yinka Folami confirmed that the association had formally petitioned the NCAA regarding the issue. “We have raised the matter with the NCAA, and they have assured us that they are looking into it,” Folami stated.
Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, acknowledged the petition and assured that the relevant department would address the matter soon. “I can confirm that NANTA has written to us about the issue, and the appropriate department will take action shortly,” Achimugu said.
The gathering also addressed issues surrounding passenger compensation, urging airline operators to comply with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2023, particularly Part 19, which outlines compensation for passengers in cases of flight delays or cancellations.
First Baba Isa, a lawyer representing passengers, expressed concerns over the lack of accountability by airlines, both domestic and international, in honoring passengers’ rights. He highlighted several ongoing court cases involving poor treatment of passengers, particularly those with disabilities, adding that airlines often fail to fulfill their obligations regarding refunds and compensation.
“We are currently pursuing no fewer than seven cases in different courts involving airlines’ neglect of passengers’ rights, particularly concerning the treatment of disabled passengers,” Isa said. “It is vital that airlines be held accountable for flight cancellations, delays, and overbookings, and that affected passengers receive compensation in accordance with NCARs 2023.”
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including senior officials from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and NANTA, among others.
