The current dispute between 13 travel agencies and Qatar Airways has taken on new dimensions as a result of the agents’ letter to Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, pleading with him to step in quickly.
A letter from the agents pleading with the minister to assist in securing a refund of unused Hajj tickets, which totaled N296 million over the previous two years was retrieved.
The PUNCH exclusively revealed how, in response to Qatar Airways’ purported refusal to carry out a N296 million ticket refund since 2022, 13 travel firms and their clients formed a battle line.
The Saudi Arabian Embassy declined to grant visas to the intended pilgrims, therefore the clients who bought tickets from Qatar Airways for the 2022 hajj exercise were unable to travel as scheduled.
The Hajj operators sought their ticket refunds after learning of the development.
Due to their delay in processing the ticket refund, pilgrims have brought a few Hajj operators before the authorities and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority stated that it was already mediating the issue when the situation was reported to it.
Michael Achumugu, an NCAA spokesman, stated that the airline had declined to compensate the agent.
The agents’ most recent correspondence with the minister, sent via their legal representative, expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of progress made in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
The minister should, the attorney pleaded, “use his good office at ensuring their grievances with Qatar Airlines are favourably resolved with refunds to our clients.”
The lawyer further said, “Despite our numerous engagements, no refund has been made by Qatar Airways since 2022 while our people have continually suffered humiliation, harassment, intimidation, blackmail and prosecution by Nigerian Law enforcement agencies sequel to complaints from their respective depositors and clients whose monies are being stashed in the coffers of Qatar Airways.
“All related agencies of the government have been reached on our clients’ plight and we believe that your office being the major regulator of the aviation industry would aid our clients, being stakeholders in the Nigerian travel and tours industry in line with the extant regulatory legislation and provisions to protect the economic interest of the nation.”
The agents’ letter also conveyed hope for the minister’s leadership, pleading with him to do everything in his ability to spare them from shame.
