The continuing dispute between 13 travel agents and Qatar Airways has taken a new turn after the agents wrote a letter to Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo pleading for his swift intervention.The continuing dispute between 13 travel agents and Qatar Airways has taken a new turn after the agents wrote a letter to Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo pleading for his swift intervention.
In their letter, the agents requested that the minister assist them in obtaining a reimbursement for unused Hajj tickets totaling N296 million over the last two years, according to The Punching.
It was earlier reported how 13 travel agencies and their clients drew a battle line with Qatar Airways for allegedly refusing to implement N296m ticket refund since 2022.
The hajj agents had purchased tickets from Qatar Airways for the 2022 hajj exercise, but the clients were unable to fly as planned due to the Saudi Embassy’s refusal to give visas to the intended pilgrims.
As a result of this, the Hajj operators demanded their ticket refunds.
Pilgrims had reported several Hajj operators to the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for failing to issue ticket refunds.
When the problem was reported to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the agency stated that it was already mediating the issue.
The spokesperson for the NCAA, Michael Achumugu, said the airline had refused to pay the agent.
In the agents’ latest letter to the minister, through their legal counsel, the agent complained that all efforts made for amicable resolution on the matter had hit brick walls.
The lawyer, however, appealed to the minister to use his “good office at ensuring their grievances with Qatar Airlines are favourably resolved with refunds to our clients”.
The lawyer further said, “Despite our numerous engagements, no refund has been made by Qatar Airways since 2022 while our people have continually suffered humiliation, harassment, intimidation, blackmail and prosecution by Nigerian Law enforcement agencies sequel to complaints from their respective depositors and clients whose monies are being stashed in the coffers of Qatar Airways.
“All related agencies of the government have been reached on our clients’ plight and we believe that your office being the major regulator of the aviation industry would aid our clients, being stakeholders in the Nigerian travel and tours industry in line with the extant regulatory legislation and provisions to protect the economic interest of the nation.”
The agents’ letter also expressed optimism in the minister’s leadership, praying that he would do everything in his ability to save them from shame.
