Travel Agents Seek Minister’s Intervention in N296m Refund Dispute with Qatar Airways
The ongoing conflict between 13 travel agencies and Qatar Airways has intensified as the agents have formally appealed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for intervention in securing a refund for unused Hajj tickets totalling N296 million over the past two years.
In a letter obtained by The PUNCH, the agents requested Minister Keyamo’s prompt action to address their grievances. The travel agencies are seeking the refund of tickets purchased for the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage, which went unused due to the Saudi Arabian Embassy’s refusal to issue visas to the intending pilgrims.
This development follows an exclusive report by The PUNCH, detailing the standoff between the travel agencies and Qatar Airways, which has allegedly refused to process the N296 million ticket refunds since 2022. The travel agencies and their clients have been embroiled in disputes, with some pilgrims even involving the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to demand their refunds.
Despite the involvement of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which has been mediating in the matter, the refunds remain unpaid. NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achumugu, confirmed the airline’s refusal to reimburse the agents.
In their latest letter, the agents, through their legal counsel, expressed frustration over failed attempts at an amicable resolution. They implored Minister Keyamo to leverage his position to ensure Qatar Airways fulfils its refund obligations.
The legal counsel stated, “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 due to complaints from their respective depositors and clients whose monies are being stashed in the coffers of Qatar Airways.”
The agents highlighted that all relevant government agencies had been informed of their plight. They urged the minister to protect their economic interests, given their role as stakeholders in the Nigerian travel and tourism industry.
The letter concluded with a hopeful note, expressing confidence in Minister Keyamo’s leadership and praying for his intervention to save them from further humiliation and financial distress.
