The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) has formally called on the Federal Government to provide immediate and clear clarification regarding the multitude of charges imposed on airlines operating within the country. This urgent appeal follows recent claims by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that exorbitant taxes are a primary driver behind the relentless surge in air travel costs.
Industry Leaders Clash Over Tax Burden
Key figures from the Airline Operators of Nigeria, including its spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, and Vice Chairman, Allen Onyema, have consistently argued that reducing the sector's tax load would lead to a significant decrease in ticket prices for the flying public. They have pointed to a burdensome list of levies as a critical obstacle.
However, the travel agents' body is urging for a more nuanced examination of these claims. The National President of NANTA, Dr. Yinka Folami, addressed the issue during a radio debate titled 'The True Picture of Taxes in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector: Facts, Figures and Impact' on Mainland FM's Villa Square programme in Lagos.
Deconstructing the "18 Taxes" Assertion
Dr. Folami emphasized that while the figures presented by AON deserve respect, the assertion of 18 separate taxes on a single local ticket requires thorough deconstruction. He stressed an urgent need for transparency so that every industry stakeholder and traveller can understand precisely what is being paid and to which entity.
"I am not saying the numbers are not true, but the assertion is new to us; hence, the assertion of 18 taxes should be deconstructed," Folami stated. "We need to deconstruct these taxes to know who paid or collected what."
He further cautioned against placing the entire blame for high domestic airfares on government taxes alone. Folami noted that ticket prices have experienced wild fluctuations even during periods when both official taxes and aviation fuel costs remained stable, suggesting other market forces are at play.
A Call for an Equity-Driven Aviation Ecosystem
The NANTA President framed the issue as a matter of fairness and systemic health. He argued that the alleged existence of 18 taxes on a local ticket directly conflicts with the professional training and practical sales experience of travel practitioners across Nigeria.
"There is a need for an equity-driven aviation ecosystem as 18 taxes on one local ticket conflicts with our practitioner training and sales experience," Folami declared. He concluded that the serious nature of the claim demands an equally serious appraisal, inquiry, and definitive breakdown from the relevant authorities.
The outcome of this call for clarity is poised to impact all Nigerians who rely on air travel, with the potential to influence future pricing and policy in the critical aviation sector.
