NCAA warns Airlines to stop selling tickets in foreign currencies
Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:53:am Business
2.2K By Buchi Obichie
Airlines operating within the country have been warned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to henceforth, desist from selling flight tickets in foreign currencies.
In a statement issued by its acting General Manager, Public Relations,Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos on Sunday, the NCAA said the act contravened the guidelines laid down by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the cost of products or services in Nigeria.
The statement read in part: "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."
According to the statement, it is insensitive for airlines to sell tickets in foreign currencies, to passengers who of their own free will, elected to travel with them.
The statement said such act also contravened the provisions of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA)between Nigeria and other countries as contained in Article 8 (4).
"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 travellers in naira without further delay," it said.
The NCAA also added that measures had been put in place by the Federal Government, to ameliorate the subsisting foreign exchange issues.
In a statement issued by its acting General Manager, Public Relations,Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos on Sunday, the NCAA said the act contravened the guidelines laid down by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the cost of products or services in Nigeria.
The statement read in part: "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."
According to the statement, it is insensitive for airlines to sell tickets in foreign currencies, to passengers who of their own free will, elected to travel with them.
The statement said such act also contravened the provisions of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA)between Nigeria and other countries as contained in Article 8 (4).
"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 travellers in naira without further delay," it said.
The NCAA also added that measures had been put in place by the Federal Government, to ameliorate the subsisting foreign exchange issues.
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