The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed readiness to unblock low inventory tickets that have been inaccessible for over 18months.
It also promises to recommend appropriate pricing of ticket in Nigeria compared to similar markets in the West African sub-region.
This was disclosed in a press statement released to journalists on Thursday, signed by Chris Najomo, director-general, NCAA, following a two-day meeting between NCAA and foreign airlines, held at the headquarters of the NCAA in Abuja.
The federal government in a bid to make air travel more affordable for Nigerians, has through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, set up a 10-man committee to probe foreign airlines over skyrocketing fares.
The committee, chaired by Horatius Egua, director of special duties, at NCAA, aims to ensure foreign airlines comply with government directives to unblock low-inventory tickets that have been inaccessible for over 18 months as well as recommend appropriate pricing of tickets in Nigeria compared to similar markets in the West African sub-region.
Members of the committee are: Michael Achimugu, Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection NCAA; Rotimi Arogunjo General Manager, Licensing and Statistics NCAA; Ogechi Louis-Azode Deputy General Manager, Legal Services NCAA; Susan Akporiaye
Others are; President National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies; Olaoluwa Oladipupo Assistant General Manager, Fairs and Tariffs NCAA; David-Ojuigo Asst. Director FCCPC; Yinka Folami incoming President NANTA; and Florence Abebe, Chief Legal Officer FCCPC while Ifueko Abdulmalik, Senior Special Assistant, DG, NCAA is to serve as Secretary.
Emphasizing the need for fair hearing to Nigerian, Egua said the need for fair pricing, saying, “This is very discriminatory in nature. We cannot continue to pay higher fares compared to other countries in the sub-region that have similar distances, using the same operating aircraft. We have the market and in some cases we have more liberal taxes? This is unacceptable and we totally reject this.
He explained, “For instance, a distance of six hours from Ghana to London may sometimes cost about $800 while similar distance with similar operating aircraft cost over $2000 in Nigeria. This is discriminatory and an unfair practice and we reject this in totality,”
“In the last several months, Nigerians have been made to pay higher fares on international flights unjustly as all the foreign airlines increased their flight tickets astronomically citing the high exchange rate as well as other sundry issues and also deliberately blocked low inventory tickets making travel unbearable for Nigerians.”
