KEY POINTS
-
NANTA says dollar ticket sales exclude 70 percent of certified agents.
-
The association urges airlines to align with naira stability.
-
Airlines’ technology failures blamed for excessive debit memos.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has called on foreign airlines still selling flight tickets in U.S. dollars to end the practice, saying it is no longer justifiable given the recent stabilisation of the Naira.
NANTA President Yinka Folami said the policy continues to exclude about 70 percent of certified Nigerian travel agents from direct trade with international carriers, despite their compliance with global standards.
Airlines urged to align with Nigeria’s recovery direction
Speaking on Creative Nigeria, a programme on Mainland 98.3 FM, Folami commended the government’s efforts to stabilise the currency and improve market liquidity. He said the shrinking gap between official and parallel rates shows policy progress that should reflect in aviation.
“There is no need for airlines to sell in dollars anymore,” he said. “If the government is recording economic gains, industry players must ensure their actions align with that recovery process.”
He added that continued dollar sales “exclude 70 percent of our members who are both NANTA and IATA-certified,” calling for fairness in access and participation across the sector.
NANTA faults airlines over high debit memos
Furthermore, on Airline Debit Memos (ADMs), charges imposed on agents for ticketing errors, Folami blamed what he described as technological inefficiencies by some carriers.
“Many airlines have got it right, but others have not,” he said, noting that some agents have received ADMs as high as $200,000. “That is no longer a penalty, it has become a revenue stream.”
He finally said NANTA has escalated the matter to relevant authorities, urging the government to engage airlines and ensure accountability across the system.
