In a bid to curb the incessant trend of fraudulent ticketing practices by unregistered travel agencies, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has drawn the attention of the traveling public and advised all intending travelers to stop patronizing perpetrators of the unlawful operations in the industry.
NCAA gave the warning following recent increase in reports reaching the authority about activities of unregistered travel agencies engaging in fraudulent ticketing practices.
In a statement signed by Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, the regulatory agency stated, “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015, Part 18.9.1 (111), prohibits the undertaking of the business of travel agency by any person in Nigeria, without a Certificate of Registration or Licence issued by the Authority, upon fulfilment of certain requirements, including, that an applicant submits evidence of membership of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA).
“In addition, Section 30 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, empowers the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to regulate, supervise and monitor the activities of travel agents in Nigeria.”
The regulatory agency however noted in the statement that, “Consequent upon these reports of sharp practices by unregistered travel agencies, the Authority has therefore directed all duly registered travel agencies to display their certificates of registration or licences in all their outlets.”
There are 150 travel agencies said to be on the register of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
However, NCAA stated that there are guidelines for registration with the Authority.
“The applicant must fulfil both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and NCAA requirements to be registered,” the statement read.
NCAA therefore reiterates that prospective passengers should do business only with travel agencies registered with the Regulatory Authority.
By Patrick Aigbokhan
