The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated measures to address the exorbitant fares charged by foreign airlines operating in the country.
Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, has established a 10-member Committee to investigate and rectify the high cost of air tickets in Nigeria. This decision follows a two-day meeting between NCAA and foreign airlines aimed at addressing the issue of blocked low inventory tickets and high fares persisting for over 18 months.
Chaired by Director of Special Duties at NCAA, Mr. Horatius Egua, the committee is tasked with ensuring compliance from foreign airlines to unblock low inventory tickets and recommending fair ticket pricing compared to similar markets in West Africa.
The committee comprises key stakeholders including representatives from NCAA, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), and International Air Transport Association (IATA) on behalf of foreign airlines.
Despite directives from NCAA to reduce ticket costs and unblock low inventory tickets, some airlines have failed to comply, prompting strong condemnation from the authority. The discriminatory pricing against Nigerians compared to other countries in the region has been highlighted as unacceptable.
NCAA emphasizes the need for fair and equitable pricing in line with market realities, rejecting the unjustifiable fare discrepancies observed in Nigeria compared to neighboring countries.
Tinubu Challenges NLC: “Not the Sole Voice of Nigerians”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu criticized the recent Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protest, asserting that the Labour movement is not the sole representative of Nigerians’ voices.
Tinubu’s remarks came during the commissioning of the Lagos Red Line Train, linking Agbado to Oyingbo. He emphasized that while the union has rights and freedoms, calling for a strike within nine months of an administration is unacceptable.
He urged the union to exercise patience until the next electoral cycle, highlighting the importance of maintaining peace and respecting the broader voices of Nigerians.
