The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to foreign airlines operating there, threatening to impose sanctions on those that fail to comply with the directive to release low-inventory tickets within a specified timeframe.
The directive aims to enhance transparency in air ticketing processes and make air travel more affordable for the Nigerian middle class.
Last week, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) convened a meeting with airline operators, foreign airlines, and the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) in Abuja.
During the meeting, foreign airlines committed to improving transparency by releasing low-inventory tickets, responding to the Federal Government’s move to release part of the $700 million trapped air ticket funds to foreign carriers.
Despite the commitment made during the meeting, it has been reported that not all foreign airlines have fully complied with the directive.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, stated that those airlines that have not complied risk facing sanctions.
He emphasized that the NCAA had instructed airlines to open low-inventory tickets, and while some claimed to have done so, discrepancies were later identified.
Achimugu stated, “Within the scope of the NCAA, there will be sanctions applicable to airlines that do not comply with these directives. We made that very clear.”
Investigations revealed that some airlines initiated the release of low-inventory tickets; however, concerns were raised as certain carriers did not offer their lowest-inventory tickets.
There are allegations that some operators withheld these tickets to encourage passengers to use dollar cards for purchases.
The Director-General of NCAA, Chris Najomo, had singled out Air France for non-compliance, prompting establishing a 10-member committee to oversee full compliance by foreign airlines.
The committee, chaired by Horatius Egua, Director of Special Duties at NCAA, ensures that foreign airlines unblock low-inventory tickets and propose suitable pricing strategies compared to other markets in the West African sub-region.
While some foreign airlines have complied with the directive to release low-inventory tickets, others have been accused of partial compliance or non-compliance.
The negotiations between foreign airlines and the NCAA aim to address these issues and align stakeholders’ interests in the aviation sector.
The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), Kingsley Nwokoma, acknowledged that some airlines had opened their low-inventory tickets while others were yet to do so.
Nwokoma emphasized the complexities of airline decision-making, considering commercial, technical, and regulatory factors.
The release of low-inventory tickets is expected to benefit Nigerian passengers by offering more affordable airfares, especially for the middle class.
However, challenges such as exchange rate fluctuations, high fuel prices, and access to trapped funds continue to impact the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Stakeholders, including travel agencies and civil society organizations, are closely monitoring the situation and advocating for fair pricing and transparency in air travel.