In a move to address the growing concerns over the steep airfares imposed by foreign airlines, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated a robust response. The Director General of NCAA, Chris Najomo, announced the formation of a 10-member committee, dedicated to scrutinizing and ultimately rectifying the exorbitant ticket prices that have been a burden on Nigerian air travelers. This decision, detailed in a press statement released on February 29, 2024, underscores the regulatory body’s commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the aviation sector.
The committee is spearheaded by Horatius Egua, the agency’s Director of Special Duties, and comprises notable figures from the aviation and consumer protection sectors. This includes Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA; Rotimi Arogunjo, General Manager of Licensing and Statistics at NCAA; and representatives from the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, among others. The inclusion of Ifueko Abdulmalik as the Secretary of the committee further solidifies the group’s expertise and dedication to its mission.
The formation of this committee is a direct response to the outcry from Nigerians over the astronomical rise in airfares, which has been attributed to various factors, including the high exchange rate. Foreign airlines have been accused of unjustly hiking ticket prices and deliberately restricting access to more affordable ticket options, exacerbating the financial burden on travelers. Egua, in his remarks, highlighted the discriminatory nature of these practices, drawing attention to the stark disparities in airfare prices between Nigeria and other countries within the same region, despite similar distances and operating aircraft.
For instance, the cost of a six-hour flight from Ghana to London might hover around $800, while a flight of similar duration from Nigeria to London could exceed $2000. Such disparities not only place an undue financial strain on Nigerian travelers but also raise questions about the fairness and equity of pricing strategies employed by foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.
In an effort to tackle these challenges head-on, the NCAA convened a two-day meeting with representatives from various stakeholders in the aviation industry, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), alongside the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represented the foreign airlines. The discussions aimed at addressing the concerns over inflated airfares and the lack of accessibility to more affordable ticket options.
The outcome of the meeting was a consensus among the stakeholders on the need to reduce ticket prices and unconditionally release lower inventory tickets to the Nigerian market. Following the NCAA’s directive, several international airlines, including Lufthansa German Airlines, KLM, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, and Turkish Airlines, have complied by releasing a variety of low-inventory tickets. However, Air France has yet to adhere to these directives, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring universal compliance.
The establishment of this committee by the NCAA marks a significant step towards addressing the grievances of Nigerian air travelers and fostering a more equitable and transparent aviation sector. By tackling the issue of high airfares head-on, the NCAA demonstrates its commitment to protecting consumer rights and promoting a fair competitive environment within Nigeria’s aviation industry. As the committee embarks on its mission, it carries the hopes of countless Nigerians who aspire for a more accessible and affordable air travel experience.
