Stakeholders worry over increasing foreign airfares

Stakeholders in the travel industry have raised alarm over the astronomical increase in airfares charged by foreign airlines, which according to them have gone up by more than 150 per cent.

Besides, they alleged that the airlines are abusing and exploiting the present forex regime in the country.

The National Financial Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, cited the example of the airfare for the economy class for the Lagos-London route, which has allegedly increased from about N150, 000 to about N450, 000.

The group equally expressed worries over the alarming increase in the air fare for first class on the same route, which according to them, have gone up to about N3 million from the former rates of between N1 million and N1.5 million.

Apart from the above, the stakeholders frowned at what they described as hidden charges by foreign airlines in the country, which increased the amounts payable by air travellers by about 150 per cent.

The group at its 40th yearly general meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, frowned at a situation where taxes that go to the airlines are higher than base fares, which they said is unacceptable.

NANTA also urged the Federal Government to call foreign airlines to order over the sundry excessive sharp practices.

Ngoka also alleged that foreign airlines make available on their website fares which are much cheaper than those available on the agency booking platforms. This practice, according to her causes unfair competition, even as it is capable of running agencies out of business.