NANTA Seeks SON’s Intervention on Foreign Airlines’ Ticket Sales Practices

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has raised concerns with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) about foreign airlines competing with local travel agents in ticket sales and marketing. NANTA President, Yinka Folami, emphasized the need for SON to enforce international best practices in the ticketing ecosystem and to address alleged infractions by these airlines.

Folami expressed dissatisfaction with foreign airlines setting up city offices in Nigeria, which he claims violates the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) they have with the Federal Government. He argued that these practices cut travel agents out of the process and deprive travellers of professional advisory services.

In response, SON Conformity Assessment Officer Chidinma Ewuzie acknowledged the need for clearer guidelines and an understanding of global best practices in travel services. Ewuzie indicated that while ISO groups travel services differently, SON is open to collaborating with NANTA to address these issues. She suggested organizing a sub-travel trade sector workshop to define and discuss the current challenges in Nigeria’s travel trade sector.

This dialogue between NANTA and SON aims to protect local travel agents and ensure fair competition within the Nigerian ticketing and travel services market.