The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has expressed approval for the Federal Government’s initiative, led by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to investigate what it deems “unjustifiable” fares imposed by domestic airlines. NANTA considers this move a “welcome development.”
Responding to the FCCPC’s planned investigation, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President of NANTA, characterized domestic airline fares as “raging and unbelievable.” Acknowledging that NANTA had previously sought intervention from various authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the National Assembly Committee on Aviation, Akporiaye emphasized the adverse impact on both the Nigerian traveling public and travel business operators.
Akporiaye emphasized that NANTA’s response is aligned with the concerns of the Nigerian traveling public and outlined the association’s commitment to advocating for a lasting solution amid escalating complaints. She expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s intervention, particularly praising Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, for assuring the sector of an investigation into the existing airfare structure in Nigeria.
Describing Mr. Irukera’s announcement as a “Christmas and New Year gift to travel agents,” Akporiaye thanked the President for establishing the FCCPC, led by a thorough professional. She pledged NANTA’s cooperation in providing information to assist the regulatory authority in addressing fare management issues and offering relief to Nigerian customers.
Recalling Irukera’s commitment during an end-of-year party in Abuja, the FCCPC boss acknowledged the difficulty in determining price hikes, especially in airfare. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation before intervention, highlighting the complexity of forensic studies in airfare pricing within the market investigation ecosystem. Irukera underscored the importance of establishing evidence and confronting the issue through diligent work, stating that the regulatory authority’s duty is not to impose prices but to address competition issues and consider various factors in investigating airfare hikes.