As the yuletide approaches, air passengers in Nigeria have expressed deep dissatisfaction over the continued sale of flight tickets in foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar. Many passengers fear that the policy will further inflate airfares and make travel increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
The controversial practice, recently reintroduced by some international airlines, has ignited widespread outrage within the aviation sector. Both industry practitioners and passengers have described the dollar-only ticket sales as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and have called on the Federal Government to take urgent action.
During random interviews at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Monday, several travellers lamented that the dollar-only ticket policy would worsen the usual festive-season fare hikes, which already stretch the budgets of most families.
Adding to passengers’ frustration, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority recently announced an additional charge of $11.50 per ticket, effective December 1, 2025. The new payment, introduced under the Advance Passenger Information System initiative, has sparked further anger across the industry.
According to the NCAA, the APIS fee aims to enhance security and streamline passenger clearance at Nigerian airports by collecting and processing traveller data before arrival. However, despite the agency’s justification, the new charge has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the fee, distinct from an existing $20 security fee introduced in 2010, will only deepen the financial burden on passengers and complicate air travel logistics.
Yet, the most pressing issue for many Nigerians remains the insistence by some foreign airlines on accepting only U.S. dollars for ticket payments — a move perceived as both exploitative and disrespectful to Nigeria’s legal tender.
The PUNCH
