IATA softens operational ground for NANTA members

…assures on new DIP provider

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global body regulating major aviation operation, has agreed to review and sustain guidelines that will enhance and promote the growth of travel trade business in Nigeria.

At a recent strategic meeting with a delegation of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by its National President, Mr. Bankole Bernard, IATA promised to review the interest rates charged against defaulting travels agents who delayed remittance of funds to IATA and a faster updating of exchange rate on its BSP link to help discourage speculation and confusion among travel agents.

Mr. Dusan Kostic, Regional Director of IATA, who received the NANTA delegation in Amman, Jordan regional Headquarter of IATA, Africa and Middle East, also assured that the global aviation regulatory body will henceforth play more proactive role in the training and retraining of NANTA members, adding that IATA would back a possible presence of a second DIP Provider in Nigeria.

Mr. Dusan Kostic who appreciated the visit of NANTA leadership to its Amman facility, used the opportunity to introduce the Gen ISS Program, a global management process for travel agents meant to ease compliance with local trade laws.

Earlier in his presentation, NANTA President Bankole Bernard commended IATA for its progressive oversight of aviation business in Nigeria, but however called for more pragmatic approach to issues concerning Nigeria travel agents who are key players in the downstream sector of the industry, particularly with challenges posed by the Nigerian economy in recession.

Mr. Bankole assured that NANTA will deepen the relationship with the Africa and Middle East region of IATA through strategic interface and visits whenever the need arises in future.

It should be noted that NANTA visit to IATA regional office is the first by any NANTA leadership since its foundation, a key step by the present  leadership to reposition NANTA and travel trade business in Nigeria .