NCAA Cautions Airlines, Kicks Against Selling Tickets in Foreign Currencies

NIGERIAN Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned all airlines operating in the country over their resolve to be selling flight tickets in foreign currencies to desist from the practice stating that it would sanction anyone discovered to be recalcitrant in the act.

The directive, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) added that the Federal Government had taken adequate measures to tackle the subsisting foreign exchange issues.

The NCAA issued the warning in a statement issued by its Acting General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos noting that the act contravened the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines on the cost of products or services in Nigeria, and the provisions of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and other countries as contained in Article 8 (4)...

 “The CBN, via a circular issued on April 17, 2015, has directed that ‘pricing of any product shall continue to be in naira only and it is illegal to price or denominate the cost of any product or service (visible or invisible) in any foreign currency.

“The NCAA is disturbed by reports that some foreign airlines are declining to accept Nigeria’s local currency – the naira – as payment for tickets. In other words, some foreign airlines have blatantly resorted to selling tickets only in foreign currency.

“As a consequence of this action, the regulatory authority has written warning letters to such erring airlines to immediately comply with the provisions of BASA and CBN directive. Sales of tickets and services should henceforth be offered to air travelers in naira without further delay”, Adurogboye said.