The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) has formally petitioned the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regarding the ongoing practice of some foreign airlines selling air tickets in foreign currencies, particularly U.S. dollars, for flights departing Nigeria. This practice is in violation of Nigerian law, which mandates that local transactions be conducted in Naira, as outlined in the CBN Act of 2007.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, NANTA’s president, Yinka Folami, confirmed the petition, urging the NCAA to address the issue. He noted that while U.S. airlines are exempt due to the Open Skies agreement, other foreign carriers have increasingly disregarded this stipulation, with no significant penalties enforced.
The issue was raised during the NCAA’s Consumer Protection National Stakeholders’ Summit, where attendees discussed the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, including passenger rights and airline accountability. NCAA officials, including Michael Achimugu, confirmed receipt of the petition and assured that appropriate action would be taken.
In addition, industry experts emphasized the need for compliance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2023), especially concerning passenger compensation for delays, cancellations, and overbooking. The summit also focused on improving customer complaint management through digital technology and better airline practices.
