NANTA Defends Naira, Rejects Dollar-Only Foreign Airline Tickets

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies has renewed its opposition to dollar-only ticket sales and city sales by some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

NANTA President Dr Yinka Folami described the practice as a disrespect to Nigeria’s sovereignty, noting that only three out of more than 30 airlines still engage in the practice, representing just 10 per cent of the market.

A Battle for Economic Sovereignty

ValidViewNetwork gathered that the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has renewed its opposition to the practice of dollar-only ticket sales and city sales by some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

NANTA President, Dr Yinka Folami, in an interview with The Guardian, declared that such practices were anti-competitive and inimical to the growth of the local travel trade.

“Naira is a sovereign currency, it’s our naira and that’s what it is, therefore, it should denominate our transactions. So, when you conduct your trade in Nigeria, at total exclusion of naira, we just think it is unfair,” Folami said.

A Shrinking Problem

According to Folami, only about three foreign airlines out of more than 30 operating in and out of Nigeria currently engage in dollar-only ticket sales, representing about 10 per cent of the market.

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He argued that the stability of the naira, improved foreign exchange liquidity and greater transparency in the remittance process had significantly changed the economic circumstances that previously informed the practice.

“There is no reason for it anymore; there is no further justification for it again. If you look at the naira, you will see that the currency is finding stability, there is liquidity and there is transparency in the process of remittance,” Folami said.

Excluding 75% of Travel Agencies

Folami stressed that dollar-only ticket sales had particularly affected small and medium-sized travel agencies, which make up a significant proportion of NANTA’s membership.

NANTA has approximately 4,000 members, including 1,621 IATA-certified members. Of the IATA-certified members, 1,274, representing more than 80 per cent, are Go-Lite members whose Billing Settlement Plan transaction wallets do not permit dollar sales.

Folami said the arrangement effectively shut out about 75 per cent of NANTA members from direct trade with the airlines.

Compliance and Progress

Folami commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its recent enforcement efforts against foreign airlines operating sales outlets in cities, saying several carriers had begun dismantling such structures in response to the regulator’s directives.

He also lauded Air France-KLM for appointing a Nigerian firm as its General Sales Agent (GSA), while Etihad Airways, which is billed to return to Nigeria in the coming weeks, had also agreed to do the same.

A Lesson for Nigerian Youths

This fight is about respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

A country that cannot conduct its own trade in its own currency has surrendered a fundamental part of its identity.

The same politicians who allow foreign airlines to disregard our laws will never allow their own children to be subjected to such treatment. Their children fly on private jets.

Demand respect for your country. Support local businesses. And never forget that economic sovereignty is the foundation of national pride.