NANTA visits FCCPC in search of solutions to stop foreign airlines unjust airfare pricing

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has approached the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC over high airfares charged by foreign airlines operating into Nigeria.

During a visit to the Executive Vice chairman and Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, in Abuja, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, NANTA’s President, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye said, their visit is to seek FCCPC solution driven advice on the face off with foreign Airlines over unfair airfare pricing in Nigeria. 

According to her, the Association is committed to protecting its members and their businesses from any form of exploitation and unfair practices from any quarter, adding that, the high fares and closing of lower inventories to travel agents across Nigeria is unfair.

At a news conference in Lagos three weeks ago, NANTA had decried the foreign Airlines high handedness on the matter which had created uproar among Nigerian travelling public and also evidently led to the shut down of many travel trade companies and consequent job losses.  

Mrs Susan Akporiaye further requested the FCCPC to assist NANTA, and the Nigeria travelling public, with remedies to curb the unfair practices in the down stream aviation sector and how best to articulate its position going forward. 

“Sir, we strongly view from our professional experience and knowledge of fare mechanism, that the reactions of foreign airlines on trapped funds is grossly unfair to the Nigerian travelling public and gravely threatens the survival of NANTA members”. 

Responding, the FCCPC Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Irukera,  commended the NANTA’s Leadership for the trust and confidence in government structured Competition and Consumer Protection ecosystem,  adding that the commission will study the issues and engage necessary interventions which may include inviting parties and stakeholders involved. 

“We at FCCPC welcome  your request for guidance , and will do our best to help determine possible steps to solve this problem which affects Nigerians, but will first put up an investigation team to determine what  led to this impasse and possibly infractions against the travelling public.”