NCAA set up a high-powered committee to look into the possibilities of reducing airfares generally
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has provided assurance to air passengers that airfares will decrease in the coming days.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Michael Achimugu, explained that the expected drop in airfares is a result of the payment of trapped funds owed to airlines.
He also stated that the agency has engaged with all airlines and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate this positive development.
Achimugu added that the agency under the leadership of Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo would do all it takes to crash airfares.
He made the disclosure during a brief interaction with the Nation newspaper.
Achimugu said: “Globally, airfares are not regulated but the government can engage airlines to be reasonable about their fares and that is what the NCAA under the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo based on the instruction of the minister has shown great concern for consumer protection did.
“Very recently, the NCAA set up a high-powered committee to look into the possibilities of reducing airfares generally.
“We engaged the airlines and we have gotten the commitment of the majority of them to look into the reduction of fares.”
Achimugu stated that a collaborative effort between the NCAA, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), and other stakeholders has been made to reduce airfares.
“It is a joint effort of NCAA, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), and other stakeholders.
“The commitment of the Minister has also helped. He told us to do whatever we have to do because he is very committed to consumer protection and the DG’s policy is geared towards ease of doing business.
“The DG believes that if we make things easy for the airlines, they will also reciprocate.”
“The clearance of the trapped fund is also a factor. So, it is a combination of so many factors. We will keep engaging all relevant stakeholders in the sector.”
He also noted that ease of doing business and fair competition amongst local and foreign airlines would lead to further drop in ticket prices.
He added: “Other ways to experience a further crash in ticket fares is to make it easy to do business and for fair competition amongst the various airlines.
“The entrance of Airpeace into some of the international routes has crashed the fares. Like the Minister mentioned, fair competition would lead to a drop in airfares also. So, it is important for local airline operators to be on top of their games and take advantage of opportunities,” he said.
