As the festive season draws near, Nigerian air passengers have expressed outrage over the continued sale of flight tickets exclusively in foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar. Many travellers fear that the practice will further drive up airfares and make travel increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian.

The controversial policy, recently reintroduced by some international airlines, has triggered widespread discontent within the aviation sector. Both passengers and industry experts have condemned the dollar-only sales as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently.

During random interviews at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Monday, several travellers complained that the dollar-only policy would worsen the usual fare hikes during the festive period, already known to stretch household budgets.

Further adding to the frustration, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently announced an additional $11.50 charge per ticket, effective December 1, 2025. The new fee, introduced under the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) initiative, has sparked further anger among passengers and industry stakeholders.

According to the NCAA, the APIS fee is designed to enhance security and streamline passenger clearance at airports by collecting and processing traveller data before arrival. However, critics argue that the new charge—distinct from an existing $20 security fee introduced in 2010—will only increase travel costs and complicate flight operations.

For many Nigerians, the biggest concern remains the insistence by some foreign airlines on accepting only US dollars for ticket payments. The move is widely viewed as exploitative and disrespectful to Nigeria’s legal tender, the naira.

A Morocco-bound passenger, Aderele James, strongly condemned the dollar-only policy, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine the nation’s economy.
“I was shocked when my agent told me some airlines now insist on payment in dollars. This is Nigeria, a sovereign state, and no airline should dictate how transactions are conducted here,” he said.
“The legal tender is the naira and should be respected. These same airlines would never allow such in their own countries. Our leaders’ silence on this issue is unacceptable.”

James added, “My family and I have decided never to patronize any airline that refuses payment in naira. This is a violation of our sovereignty and must be resisted. The President should act quickly to address this matter.”

Another traveller, Mrs. Lawson, also vowed to boycott any airline that rejects payment in naira, calling the policy discriminatory and insensitive.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), Yinka Folami, emphasized that while foreign airlines are entitled to make business decisions, such actions must not disregard Nigeria’s sovereignty or its financial regulations.
“Excluding the naira from transactions in Nigeria is unjustifiable,” he said. “It places unnecessary pressure on our currency and undermines government efforts to stabilize the economy.”

Folami warned that the persistent demand for dollars in the aviation market could further weaken the naira and urged airlines to demonstrate confidence in Nigeria’s economic outlook.
“Allowing ticket sales in naira will empower young travel agents, create jobs, and strengthen the economy,” he added. “We remain hopeful that the government will soon put an end to this practice.”

With the yuletide season approaching, both passengers and aviation stakeholders are urging the government to act swiftly to protect consumer rights, uphold national dignity, and ensure that Nigerians can purchase flight tickets in their own currency.