The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has renewed its opposition to dollar-only ticket sales by some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, saying developments in the country’s foreign exchange market have changed the conditions that previously supported the practice.

NANTA President, Dr Yinka Folami, said the association was not seeking confrontation with foreign airlines or government authorities but wanted a more inclusive system for transactions within Nigeria’s aviation and travel market.

Speaking in Lagos, Folami said the relative stability of the naira, improved foreign exchange liquidity and greater transparency in the remittance process had significantly altered the economic circumstances surrounding dollar-only ticket sales.

He said about three foreign airlines currently engage in dollar-only ticket sales out of more than 30 airlines operating into and out of Nigeria.

That figure, according to NANTA, represents about 10 per cent of the foreign airlines operating in the market.

Folami argued that the relatively small number of airlines still operating the dollar-only model made it increasingly difficult to justify the practice.

NANTA’s objection is centred on the exclusion of the naira from transactions conducted in Nigeria.

Folami maintained that the naira, as Nigeria’s sovereign currency, should have a place in transactions conducted within the country.

He appealed to the affected airlines to reconsider the practice rather than treating NANTA’s position as an attempt to create conflict.

The association’s argument is also closely connected to the situation facing Nigerian travel agencies.

NANTA has approximately 4,000 members, according to Folami, including 1,621 IATA-certified members.

He said 1,274 of the IATA-certified members, representing more than 80 per cent, are Go-Lite members whose Billing Settlement Plan transaction wallets do not permit dollar sales.

The membership structure, he argued, demonstrates why access to naira ticketing channels is an important issue for local travel agencies.

Small and medium-sized travel agencies constitute a major part of NANTA’s membership, and Folami said these businesses have been particularly affected by dollar-only ticket sales.

NANTA has consequently appealed to the Federal Government and the airlines concerned to address the situation and provide travel agencies operating in Nigeria with access to naira sales channels.

However, Folami said the Federal Government should not be blamed entirely for the continued practice.

He acknowledged that certain foreign airlines may operate under Bilateral Air Service Agreements or other arrangements that allow dollar transactions.

NANTA’s argument is therefore not that every dollar transaction by a foreign carrier is necessarily outside the rules.

Instead, the association is asking for broader access to naira ticket sales in circumstances where it believes the economic justification for excluding the local currency has diminished.

Folami also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria for the relative stability of the naira and improved foreign exchange liquidity.

He said industry participants should ensure that developments in the wider economy are reflected in the aviation sector.

NANTA’s concerns also cover the physical location from which foreign airlines conduct ticket sales.

The association faulted city sales by foreign airlines and said the practice contravenes the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

Folami specifically cited Part 18.6.1.1(c) and (d) of the regulations.

According to NANTA, the provisions state that foreign airlines operating scheduled international air services into and out of Nigeria should not maintain sales offices or outlets in cities.

The association praised the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for enforcement measures against foreign airlines operating such sales outlets.

Folami said several carriers had begun dismantling the structures following directives issued by the regulator.

NANTA also highlighted recent developments involving General Sales Agents.

Air France-KLM was commended for appointing a Nigerian firm as its General Sales Agent.

Etihad Airways, which is expected to return to the Nigerian market in the coming weeks, has also agreed to appoint a Nigerian GSA.

The appointment of Nigerian GSAs is important to NANTA because it places local businesses within the commercial structure of international airline operations.

Folami described such developments as consistent with the regulatory framework and beneficial to the local travel trade.

The association’s latest intervention therefore focuses on both currency and regulatory compliance.

On currency, NANTA wants foreign airlines that sell tickets in Nigeria to provide channels that accommodate the naira.

On city sales, it wants carriers to comply with the provisions of the NCARs 2023.

NANTA’s position comes amid continuing efforts by aviation stakeholders to improve the operating environment for both international airlines and Nigerian travel businesses.

For the association, the objective is to create greater inclusion and stability while maintaining a working relationship between airlines, travel agents, regulators and government authorities.

Folami’s comments also indicate that NANTA does not consider the dispute solely a government-versus-airline issue.

Rather, the association is asking all relevant stakeholders to respond to changes in Nigeria’s economic and regulatory environment.

With only about three airlines still identified by NANTA as maintaining dollar-only ticket sales, the association believes the practice should be reconsidered and replaced, where possible, with arrangements that allow Nigerian travel agencies to transact in naira.