In a welcome development for air travelers across Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially announced the resumption of low-inventory ticket sales by foreign airlines.
This confirmation, delivered by the authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, signals a significant relief for many Nigerians grappling with exorbitant airfare costs.
The reopening of ticket inventory follows productive discussions between the NCAA and various aviation stakeholders, including representatives from international airlines. This positive step marks a notable departure from August 2022 when British Airways (BA) and other foreign carriers restricted access to their inventory in Nigeria’s global distribution system (GDS) amid a dispute over trapped funds.
The closure had severely impacted local travel agencies’ ability to offer affordable tickets, placing considerable financial strain on Nigerian travelers. However, a breakthrough came on January 30, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the successful resolution of the issue, clearing all verified foreign exchange (FX) claims by the affected airlines.
This resolution, involving the release of an additional $64.44 million to foreign aviation companies, facilitated the normalization of ticketing operations in the country. Achimugu’s update, shared via a post on X, highlighted the positive outcomes of the NCAA’s engagement with the international airline community.
The resumption of low-inventory ticket sales is poised to significantly reduce the cost of air travel for Nigerians, offering a broader range of options for both business and leisure travelers seeking more economical flight alternatives. This development underscores the collaborative efforts between Nigerian aviation authorities, the CBN, and international carriers to address challenges facing the aviation sector.
Achimugu remarked, “I am proud to announce that, after 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.”
The acting Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, expressed concern over high airfare costs on international routes on February 12. Najomo affirmed the authority’s commitment to establishing a committee to review the situation and implement measures to bring down airfares.
Some of the foreign aviation firms operating in Nigeria include Lufthansa German Airlines, KLM, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, and Turkish Airlines.
