The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to take swift action against foreign airlines flouting the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) by selling air tickets in foreign currencies. This call comes after repeated violations by some international carriers, despite regulations mandating the sale of tickets in naira for flights originating in Nigeria.
The issue was raised during the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s Consumer Protection National Stakeholders’ Summit held at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos on Tuesday. While U.S. airlines operate under an Open Skies agreement that allows them to sell tickets in dollars, other foreign carriers are bound by the agreement to sell tickets in the local currency. However, NANTA members pointed out that many international airlines have continued to disregard this directive, with little or no punitive measures taken against them.
Yinka Folami, President of NANTA, confirmed that the association had formally petitioned the NCAA, urging the regulatory body to address the violation and enforce compliance. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, acknowledged receiving the petition and assured stakeholders that the relevant department would look into the issue.
The summit also highlighted the urgent need for airlines in the Nigerian aviation industry to adhere to Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2023, which mandates compensation for passengers affected by delays, cancellations, or overbooking. Stakeholders raised concerns that many airlines are failing to comply with this crucial regulation, leaving passengers without the compensation they are entitled to.
First Baba Isa, a lawyer attending the summit, voiced his frustration over the treatment of air passengers, particularly those with disabilities. Isa revealed that his chambers are currently handling several cases in Nigerian courts against both local and foreign carriers for poor passenger handling, including inadequate compensation and mistreatment of disabled passengers.
George Uriesi, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, called for greater investment in human capital to ensure the aviation sector’s success. In his presentation, delivered by Amaka Echetabu, Director of Airline Services at Ibom Air, Uriesi stressed that human capital development is critical for ensuring the seamless integration of technology in the sector, which would, in turn, support industry practices outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He emphasized that investing in skilled personnel would also contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
The summit, which focused on achieving greater adoption of digital technology in air travel customer complaint management, attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from various aviation agencies, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and NANTA.
