The Federal Government is set to end the sale of flight tickets in foreign currencies by international airlines operating in Nigeria, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Yinka Folami, has disclosed.
Folami made this known during a cultural and tourism programme held in Lagos at the weekend, describing the sale of tickets in dollars as “a crime against the Nigerian economy.”
“Those of us in the aviation space understand that until we have a strong Nigerian carrier to stand in the gap, these issues will persist,” he said. “I am happy to inform Nigerians that the government is squarely addressing the issue of ticket sales in foreign currency, and that is the latest update on the matter.”
He noted that the practice by foreign airlines was not only against the rules but also exerted undue pressure on the naira and the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to him, the government has begun addressing the challenge following repeated outcries from travel agencies across the country.
Folami also stressed that the sale of air tickets in foreign currencies has become an outdated system that will soon be eliminated in Nigeria’s aviation market.
He further urged Nigerians to support indigenous carriers, particularly Air Peace, which recently launched direct London routes from Lagos and Abuja. “It is our patriotic duty to support and pray for Air Peace’s success and sustainability,” he added.
