Aviation stakeholders back Emirates on dollar airfares

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Aviation experts have expressed support for Emirates Airlines’ decision to charge Nigerian passengers in dollars, citing the airline’s dollar-denominated expenses and difficulties repatriating funds from Nigeria.

Olumide Ohunayo, a member of the Aviation Round Table, pointed out that foreign airlines are often required to pay for services, including airport fees and fuel, in dollars, making dollar-denominated ticket pricing logical.

John Ojikutu, CEO of Centurion Security Limited, emphasized that foreign airlines pay nearly all airport-related fees in dollars and should not be expected to sell tickets in naira.

He warned that losing foreign airlines due to such financial pressures could have detrimental effects on Nigeria’s economy.

The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, Kingsley Nwokoma, noted that customers should have the choice to purchase tickets in either naira or dollars, while complaints should follow proper channels through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

In response to Emirates’ move, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has sought further discussions with the airline, requesting that Emirates continue to offer an option for payment in naira alongside dollar transactions.

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