The Nigerian Federal Government has been called to act regarding the high cost of airfares to travel to the country of 213 million people. Susan Akporiaye, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), stated at a recent media briefing that it was 'disheartening' the average Nigerian traveler must pay over $2,000 for an economy ticket.

Photo:  Marcus Puchmayer / Lagos Airport

30% of international tickets sold in Nigeria

Akporiaye stated that travel agents in Nigeria only sell up to 30% of international capacity from Nigeria and are taxed at 5% for tickets commencing from other nations. According to Akporiaya, the development of travel in Nigeria is severely disadvantaged.

“As we speak, it is only in Nigeria that a traveller is made to cough out over 2,000 dollars for an economy ticket

“All low-fare inventories of the airlines have been deliberately blocked to our members and to this market.

Utilizing global ticketing arrangements, Nigerian travel agents are continuously disadvantaged in selling a foreign ticket, with the 5% tax cutting into the profitability of the service. Diminishing any benefit in the sale.

“Airlines, even after various engagements as partners seem not to take such relatonship or business history with NANTA into consderation, but have gone ahead to make the market extremely difficult for members and in fact expensive for travelers.

Photo: Sm105 via Wikimedia Commons

Time for Federal Government to step in

By the limited international services, which occasionally are on again / off again, the NANTA has called for the Federal Government, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Ministry of Aviation to step in and assist in resolving the sector. Changes in global economics, the downturn in the aviation sector over COVID-19, and global recessions have aggravated the sector, resulting in business closure and unemployment.

“As a body, we are left with no option than to call on the government to be more strategic, deliberate and direct in resolving this multifaceted dilemma.

“Certainly and signficantly, Nigeria travel trade professionals are at crossroads with no help from the federal government either through the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Ministry of Aviation to addressing these challenges and finding solutions.

Photo:  Murtala Muhammed International Airport - Lagos Airport - Nigeria

International airfares from Nigeria

Mr. Yinka Folami, Vice President of NANTA for the Lagos area, has commented that airlines cannot continue to justify high airfares from the nation, consistently disadvantaging travelers to the region. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that Nigeria is firmly placed for the most robust recovery rates in Africa and the Middle East.

Nigerians have noted that they continually find it cheaper to source airfares from Nigeria from neighboring countries, highlighting that airlines are blocking inventory for tickets sold within Nigerian borders. A practice that NANTA condemns.

Photo: Kenneth Iwelumo via Wikimedia Commons

Airlines have different agreements with countries to whom they can sell tickets, where fare types and costs vary. In this instance, it is clear that travel agents in Nigeria are feeling disadvantaged by blocked availability and capacity, resulting in higher airfares for tickets sold locally. As previously reported on Simple Flying, other global factors impact the cost of airfares, such as fuel, tax, and other operational requirements.

Source: GCMap

Long-haul opportunities from Lagos

Taking a snapshot of a selection of long-haul flights currently on offer from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), the nation is connected to key aviation hubs in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As Nigeria builds itself a suitable flag carrier, the government could continue to be plagued by external powers until they can establish a reputable national carrier that can call the shots on home ground.

Sources: Guardian Nigeria, World Stage News