The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says foreign airlines have reopened their low-inventory tickets for Nigerians to access cheaper flights.
Michael Achimugu, the authority’s director of public affairs
and consumer protection, disclosed this in a post on X on Thursday.
He said the development followed recent meetings between the
NCAA and aviation stakeholders, including the international airlines.
In August 2022, (BA) had closed its inventory in Nigeria in
the global distribution system (GDS), over the foreign airlines’ trapped funds
controversy.
The move had prevented local travel companies from issuing
tickets at relatively lower rates to travellers.
On January 30, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it had
concluded the payment of all verified foreign exchange (FX) claims by airlines,
releasing an additional $64.44 million to the concerned foreign aviation firms.
Providing updates on recent engagement with stakeholders,
Achimugu said the inventory reopening would allow Nigerians to access lower
ticket prices.
“I am proud to
announce that, after the meetings with international airlines on the 12th and
13th of February, all of the airlines – bar one, have reopened their
low-inventory tickets for Nigerians to access lower ticket prices for
international flights,” he said.
“Recall that most of these airlines had closed the low
tickets to Nigerians for about a year, subjecting our citizens to only the
highest possible airfares. But the swift intervention of Capt. Chris Najomo,
DGCA, has eased the situation. More wins to come.”
I am proud to announce that, after the meetings with international airlines on the 12th and 13th of February, all of the airlines - bar one, have reopened their low-inventory tickets for Nigerians to access lower ticket prices for international flights. Recall that most of these… https://t.co/UNxy1geJHS
— Michael Achimugu (@mikeachimugu01) February 29, 2024
On February 12, Chris Najomo, the acting director-general of
the NCAA, expressed concern over the high cost of airfares, especially on
international routes.
Najomo said the authority would set up a committee to review
the situation and bring down the airfares.
“It has come to the notice of this authority about the
increase and high cost of airfares, especially on international travels,” the
director-general said.
“And NCAA in a view
of trying to make sure that these airfares are brought down, has decided to set
up a high-powered committee which will look at all the variances and how we can
bring these airfares down.
“We’ve met with the airlines and other stakeholders and
other agencies we will make sure that this is done.”
Some foreign aviation firms operating in Nigeria are
Lufthansa German Airlines, KLM, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways,
Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, and Turkish Airlines.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com