NCAA denies authorising airfare increase

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it did not authorise airlines to increase air fares, just as the aviation regulatory body said air fares, add-ons, charges, tariffs and terms and condition of service are fully liberalised.

According to spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, air fares and sundry charges have been statutorily deregulated and subjected to market forces.

While foreign airlines had raised air fares on popular routes by over 70 per cent, domestic airlines are cut in the web of following suite following the decreasing purchasing power of many and the downturn in the country’s economy.

The high cost of air tickets on international routes was caused by twin problems of devaluation of the Naira and summer when airlines take advantage of the volume of traffic owing to demand that far outweighs supply.

The devaluation of Naira which has affected cost of operations and high cost of maintenance is forcing the carriers to tinker with the idea of raising air fares.

But not a few said the decision could be suicidal for the airlines that are barely having their airplanes full, as many passengers are now taking to road transportation to save cost.

The tough or harsh operating environment they have found themselves has forced them to reshape their business model to remain in business. Some of them are looking at ‘unprofitable’ routes or reduction in frequency to remain afloat.

However, the aviation regulatory body noted that all air carriers or its agent are expected to file with the authority a tariff for that service showing all rates, fares and add-on charges, including the terms and conditions of free and reduced rate transportation for that service, as specified in IS.18.14.1.1.