The Nigerian aviation industry, travel agencies are devising creative ways of remaining in business as the scarcity of dollar keep affecting their daily operations.

The agencies are now partnering with their counterparts in China, United States of America and Europe to buy flight tickets for intending international travellers from the country, Punch gathered.

This move is as a result of the bearing scarcity of dollars in the country, which has forced foreign airlines to raise airfares by over 200 per cent, with some now accepting only dollars as the means of payment for flight tickets.

In the last one year, over 25 foreign airlines flying into Nigeria have been unable to repatriate over N300bn ticket sales proceeds to their home countries, as the Central Bank of Nigeria continues to ration foreign exchange to commercial banks for sale to users.

In order to minimize the forex risks, the foreign carriers have raised their airfares sharply, with an average return ticket to Europe now going for between N600,000 and N800,000 instead of the previous N180,000 to N250,000 depending on the season.

An average return flight to North America now costs over N1m, from between N300,000 and N400,000, while the Middle East carriers are still relatively cheap.

An official of one the airlines explained, “Most travel agencies now partner other agencies in North America, China and Europe to issue tickets to our customers here in Nigeria.

“In other words, most of the tickets Nigerians traveling overseas are carrying were issued in America, China or Europe by travel agencies in those countries.

“All we do is to give the travel agencies abroad the names of our customers, and they write the tickets and send them to us. We will then print and give to our customers.”

Elderson Osakwe, who works with a Lagos-based travel agency, said that the agencies embarked on this measure in order to overcome the difficulties of obtaining tickets for their customers locally.

It was learnt that buying the tickets from partner travel agencies overseas made them a little bit cheaper than those issued in Nigeria.

However, the development is coming few weeks after Delta Airlines and United Airlines, the two American carriers flying into Nigeria, stopped ticket sales in the country.

The US airlines said their tickets would be sold in Nigeria only by travel agencies that could sell them in dollars.

The Head of Press, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, United Airlines, Kevin Johnston, said in a statement confirming the development to our correspondent, “United Airlines is temporarily suspending point-of-sale ticketing in Nigeria.

“United will continue to operate flights between Lagos and Houston, and will allow tickets to be purchased outside of the country.

“This action applies only to tickets issued by United. We have reluctantly taken this step because of difficulties in repatriating proceeds from ticket sales in Nigeria.”

Similarly, a spokesperson for Delta Airlines in Africa, Europe and Middle East, Olivia Cullis, said in a statement, “Delta continues to work with the travel agency community in Nigeria to find travel solutions for our mutual clients.

“Delta customers can purchase tickets using US dollars either directly from Delta’s reservations or from travel agents selling in USD.

“Delta has served the Nigeria market since 2007 and is committed to operating non-stop between Nigeria and the United States. Delta does take steps to remain competitive in the market and maintain the viability of its operations.”
http://dailypost.ng/2016/05/02/dollar-scarcity-agencies-now-buy-air-ticket-abroad-for-intending-travellers/

Bubu has done it again. A great man in the society of incompetency. Another feather on the already filled cap of dullardness. His policies are yielding overwhelming required effect, we are now a major importer of AIR TICKET. Another great feat by the administration of the dullard.

http://businessnews.com.ng/2016/05/02/dollar-scarcity-nigerian-travellers-buy-tickets-from-abroad/

Cc: lalasticlala, dominique, Mynd44

So we now import airtickets?

What a country

slay baba!! Before he completely annihilates whatever good jonathan has made of the economy

can someone take this man on a crash course on economics 101...adeosun what the hell are you doing there?can't you be vociferous for once?gosh!

Click like if you think mumu-mmadu bull-hari is a dullard on matters pertaining governance and mostly economic affairs or click share if you think your zombeism will still be strong like a solid rock..but for the main time

SLAY BABA!!

When You Ask A Nigerian Politician 'What's Your Take On The Heat? Journalist: What are your thoughts on this heat Nigerians are complaining about and what is government doing about it? Lai Mohammed: This is the result of PDP's misrule, they stole the ozone layer. FEMI ADESINA: Mr. President promised us change and that includes change in temperature. Change is here, embrace change. Akinwunmi Abode: We have signed a $10 million deal with LG to install air condition across the Lagos skyline. Ibe Kachikwu: I assure you all that this heat will disappear by 2pm on 29th May. Bukola Saraki: Tinubu wanted the heat to be more than this, but I opposed him out of my love for Nigeria and that's why they're witch hunting me. Goodluck Jonathan: The heat was not this bad when I left power, but Nigerians did not appreciate me. Adams Oshiomole: Diezani Alison-Madueke stole the N100 billion meant for temperature control research. Nasir El Rufai: We are in talks with General Electric to see how they can generate power for Kaduna from this heat Rauf Aregbesola: I have just approved payment of January salary so that Osun workers can buy hand fan Aliko Dangote: Next week, we are commissioning the Dangote Fan Factory. By 2030, Australia will be buying fans from us. Ben Murray-Bruce: *tweets* when Naira is weak and inflation is high automatically there will be heat. This is common sense! Ngozi Okonjo Iweala: Under the last administration, there was no political will to address climate change. Amaechi: When I wanted to go the sun to reset the temperature for the betterment of my people, Patience Jonathan sent EFCC after me. Fashola: If they had allowed me to deport all none Lagocians, there would have been cold now instead of heat! Rochas: My free education scheme has produced abt 4 students who will, in less than 30yrs time put the issue of this heat behind us!! Sai Baba I hail ur policy

I just wanna say...

Thanks to the dullard

Lies

ok

Let me see how I can quickly make use of this opportunity to rake in some cool cash

tough times calls for drastic measures

Na their fault?

I see

That is a smart way to go about it, paying for tickets outside Nigeria is way cheaper.

Good sha, Dollars scarce, garri scarce. Naija is dumb.

Yep.. I have bought numerous tickets from China for travelers.

"When the hill stretches for miles without ending, the people walking up the hill learns to rest regularly while climbing"

The reason while people complain all the time is that they refuse to see that "When one door is closed, another one is open"

"There is a solution to every given problem"

Buhari step down please.

Rehashing the 1984 Command and Control economic policies.

But we told them a leopard will not change its spot

By d time Buhari is done with us ehn. Na only us go use our hand stone am comot for there.

best option

This article stories doesn't fit together at all.

berrystunn:
Buhari step down please.

i wish he could

keep calm change is a gradual process

And you call it a good change

[quote author=onatisi post=45245388][/quote]
Spot on brother.

Why will I spend 1million on just tickets?