The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies has renewed its campaign against the dollar-denominated sale of air tickets and city sales practices adopted by some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

Speaking with our on Wednesday, NANTA President, Dr Yinka Folami, described the practices as a disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty and a violation of the regulations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, according to The PUNCH.

Folami commended foreign airlines that comply with the country’s aviation laws and regulations, urging others to follow suit in the interest of a stronger and more sustainable aviation industry.

He stressed the need for all international carriers operating in Nigeria to respect the country’s regulatory framework and contribute to the growth of the local aviation ecosystem.

He said although NANTA recognised that some foreign airlines operated under agreements permitting transactions in dollars, there was no longer sufficient justification for excluding the naira from ticket sales in Nigeria.

“City sales is the one in conflict with the NCAA regulations. About a week ago, I did an updated report concerning the trade and our market. In it, I commended airlines that have responded positively to the NCAA regulations, either through the appointment of GSAs, which is fine, or by shutting down city sales.

“Now, an encouraging number of airlines no longer operate city sales despite not having a GSA. So, yes, we thank the airlines that are cooperating. We are also seeing airlines appointing GSAs. All these are part of compliance with the NCAA regulations,” he said.

It was reported that some of the foreign airlines currently operating with General Sales Agents include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, Etihad Airways, Saudia and EgyptAir.

Others include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya Airways, RwandAir and South African Airways, among several others.

The NANTA President also said the relative stability of the naira, improved foreign exchange liquidity and greater transparency in the remittance process had significantly altered the economic conditions that previously justified the practice.

According to him, only about three of the more than 30 foreign airlines operating to and from Nigeria currently sell tickets exclusively in dollars, representing roughly 10 per cent of the market.

He argued that conducting transactions in Nigeria solely in foreign currency was unfair to local businesses and could undermine confidence in the naira by creating the impression that the currency had little value.

Folami stressed that NANTA’s position was not intended to put the association at odds with foreign airlines or the Federal Government, but rather to promote greater inclusion, fairness and stability in Nigeria’s aviation and travel market.

He said the dollar-only ticket sales practice had placed a disproportionate burden on small and medium-sized travel agencies, which account for a substantial share of NANTA’s membership.

NANTA has about 4,000 members, comprising 1,621 IATA-certified travel agents. Of the IATA-certified members, the association said 1,274, or more than 80 per cent, are Go-Lite members whose Billing Settlement Plan transaction wallets do not support dollar-denominated sales.

“We can’t completely relegate our currency; it’s our national identity. If you undertake your business in Nigeria in total execution of the naira, we think it’s unfair. We don’t want to say it’s unacceptable because it is not something that you will permit. We are not happy about it.

“There is no reason for it anymore; there is no further justification for it again. If you look at the naira, you will see that the currency is finding stability, there is liquidity and there is transparency in the process of remittance.

“Over 30 airlines operate in and out of Nigeria and only very few have continued to sell only in dollars. Aside from disrespecting our sovereignty, dollar sales exclude over 75 per cent of our members from direct trade with the airlines. These are participants in the SME segment, and we all know what SMEs mean to every economy,” he said.

He urged the affected airlines and the Federal Government to take steps to resolve the matter, emphasising that travel agencies operating in Nigeria should be allowed access to naira-based ticket sales channels.