Breaking News: Air Travelers In Frustration As Ticket-Touts Seize Control Of Booking-Process (Details)

Breaking News: Air Travelers In Frustration As Ticket-Touts Seize Control Of Booking-Process (Details)

In Nigeria, airfares are skyrocketing as ticket touts dominate ticketing and flight booking operations at certain airports.

Reports from LEADERSHIP highlight ongoing challenges despite passengers shelling out as much as N250,000 for a mere one-hour flight from Lagos to Abuja. Issues like fare hikes, flight delays, and cancellations persist, particularly at key airports such as Lagos and Abuja.

Industry insiders attribute this rampant racketeering to a reduction in the fleets of local airlines. This reduction, they explain, has triggered a surge in ticket prices and malpractices involving airline staff and airport touts.

The decrease in airline fleets stems from a multitude of grounded aircraft due to volatile foreign exchange rates and the suspension of Dana Airline by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Aviation experts underscore that despite consistent passenger numbers, operational challenges have led to a decline in available seats. Consequently, the scarcity of flights has fueled illicit ticket practices, impacting thousands of travelers across Nigeria.

For instance, the Lagos-Abuja route has become a hotspot for ticket scarcity, with airlines charging exorbitant rates, sometimes reaching N250,000 or more for a single economy class ticket.

Last year, Nigeria saw 13 domestic airlines operating a total of 91 aircraft. However, many of these aircraft are now grounded for maintenance and regulatory reasons, exacerbating the strain on available flight capacity.

Key players in the travel industry emphasize the urgent need for new Airline Operating Certificates (AOCs) to bolster fleet numbers. They also advocate for increased support for Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) facilities within the country to expedite aircraft maintenance and operational efficiency.

Travel expert Olumide Ohunayo highlights that the current scenario often results in airlines selling premium seats as economy class, further exploiting passengers amid the ongoing operational challenges.

To address these issues, stakeholders recommend stringent measures such as processing passengers through Computer Assisted Pre-Passenger Screening (CAPPS) and enforcing ticket sales strictly outside airport terminals.

In response to allegations of misconduct, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Terminal 2 at Murtala Muhammed Airport, denies claims of ticket racketeering within its premises. They assert that their security protocols are robust and actively prevent any illegal activities.

BASL reaffirms its commitment to upholding operational integrity and vows to blacklist any individuals found engaging in fraudulent practices at their terminal.