Qatar Airways, Hajj operators clash over N296m ticket refund
Thirteen travel businesses and their consumers are bracing for a clash with Qatar Airways over claimed refusal to effectuate a N296 million ticket refund since 2022.According to a document obtained by The NIGERIANWATCH, 13 Hajj agents paid varied amounts to the Qatar flag carrier for air tickets for the 2022 Hajj exercise, but the clients were unable to fly as scheduled since the Saudi Arabian Embassy did not issue visas to the intended pilgrims.
Our correspondent learned that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria was informed of the situation via a letter dated June 21, 2022.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had also intervened on multiple occasions, but their efforts had yet to bear fruit, as the airline was apparently insistent about the return.
While 12 travel agents paid the airline N252,408,123 for the canceled trip, another agent, Al-Yusuf Travels, paid N43,874,024 to the airline, bringing the total ticket cost to N296,282.147.
While 12 travel agents paid the airline N252,408,123 for the canceled trip, another agent, Al-Yusuf Travels, paid N43,874,024 to the airline, bringing the total ticket cost to N296,282.147.
Meeqat Travels and Tours, N19,028,269; Fatimoh Olabisi Travels, N15,018,014; Amami Global Links, N15,650,000; Light Upon Light Travels, N22,200,000; Albaratullahi Travels, N43,447,580; Olagunju Travels, N21,632,203; Bolade Travels, N31,804,720; Ashabul Yameen Travels, N15,990,727; Koki Travels, N20,664,000; New Crescent Travels, N27,740,070.
Meanwhile, our correspondent discovered that the top echelons of the airline in Nigeria indicated that the reimbursement clearance was contingent on the willingness of higher-ranking personnel at the airline's headquarters in Qatar.
In addition, in a demand letter issued to the carrier by the counsel to the travel agencies and seen by our correspondent, the legal firm asked an immediate refund of the ticket money on behalf of the clients.
The legal document read in part, "Our clients have informed us that on January 24, 2024, a resolution meeting was convened between the management of Qatar Airways and the National Association of Nigeria Traveling Agencies, executives, and our clients at Qatar Airways' board room, where requests were made and responded to by Qatar Airways management."
Meanwhile, our correspondent discovered that the top echelons of the airline in Nigeria indicated that the reimbursement clearance was contingent on the willingness of higher-ranking personnel at the airline's headquarters in Qatar.
In addition, in a demand letter issued to the carrier by the counsel to the travel agencies and seen by our correspondent, the legal firm asked an immediate refund of the ticket money on behalf of the clients.
The legal document read in part, "Our clients have informed us that on January 24, 2024, a resolution meeting was convened between the management of Qatar Airways and the National Association of Nigeria Traveling Agencies, executives, and our clients at Qatar Airways' board room, where requests were made and responded to by Qatar Airways management."
"The entire sum is N252,408,123 (two hundred and fifty-two million four hundred and eight thousand one hundred and twenty-three naira only). This figure excludes the amount paid to your organisation by another operator, Al-YusufTravels, which is N43,874,024 and is currently being challenged at the Federal High Court in suit number FCH/L/CS/2483/23."
It went on to say, "It is worth noting that, despite the intervention of the National Haji Commission of Nigeria and the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travelling Agencies for a prompt resolution of this matter since 2022, your organization has been foot-dragging and employing all forms of delay tactics that would justify refusing to refund unused air ticket payments.
It went on to say, "It is worth noting that, despite the intervention of the National Haji Commission of Nigeria and the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travelling Agencies for a prompt resolution of this matter since 2022, your organization has been foot-dragging and employing all forms of delay tactics that would justify refusing to refund unused air ticket payments.
"It is equally within our brief that our clients logged a complaint of your ineptitude and utmost neglect of their plight in September 2023 at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Ikeja Lagos, while in October 2023 a meeting was called at the office of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Director General Dr Chris Najomo in which the Representatives of Qatar Airways (led by Mr Henry and others) were in attendance and our clients."
One of the impacted travel agents, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the agents, stated that it was evident that the airline was not interested in refunding the money.
One of the impacted travel agents, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the agents, stated that it was evident that the airline was not interested in refunding the money.
“By the actions and reactions of their representatives in Nigeria, they are not willing to pay us back except if something drastic, such as picketing is effected on them,” he stated.
Another agent, Fatai Tijani, who claimed to be in the forefront of the recovery effort, expressed frustration with the developments.
Tijani, on the other hand, claimed that the airline was using every possible delay strategy to avoid refunding the tickets.
He went on to say, "Through a meeting with them on Friday, it was very clear that they want to eat the money at all costs and are attempting to create propaganda that it was because the tickets were not cancelled and that they lost money when, in reality, all the flights were fully booked on the days concerned, as stated clearly in the letter from the President of the National Hajj Commission.
We are specifically training and pleading with them.
Tijani, on the other hand, claimed that the airline was using every possible delay strategy to avoid refunding the tickets.
He went on to say, "Through a meeting with them on Friday, it was very clear that they want to eat the money at all costs and are attempting to create propaganda that it was because the tickets were not cancelled and that they lost money when, in reality, all the flights were fully booked on the days concerned, as stated clearly in the letter from the President of the National Hajj Commission.
We are specifically training and pleading with them.
Kaseem Taoreed, the coordinator for the impacted agents, expressed disappointment in the airline, calling the situation as a clear contempt for Nigeria's sovereignty and regulations.
While chatting with our journalist on the phone, Taoreed indicated that the similar issue occurred in Ghana, but the airline promptly reimbursed the affected agents.
Taoreed noted that several agents had been in and out of police stations because the airline refused to issue a refund.
While chatting with our journalist on the phone, Taoreed indicated that the similar issue occurred in Ghana, but the airline promptly reimbursed the affected agents.
Taoreed noted that several agents had been in and out of police stations because the airline refused to issue a refund.
He said, "We realized that Qatar Airways is merely fooling us. Meanwhile, our job is commission-based, so for an airline to come up and say we'd have to forfeit even the cost of the ticket is a violation of the regulations of the country in which you operate. The similar incident happened in Ghana, and within a month, all impacted agencies received full refunds from Qatar Airways in October 2022. Why is Nigeria the exception?
Taoreed, on the other hand, urged the federal government to assist them in recovering their monies from the airline at any cost.
Taoreed, on the other hand, urged the federal government to assist them in recovering their monies from the airline at any cost.
"We are calling on the Federal Government to step in and ensure that Qatar Airways pays us our money in full, using the current exchange rate. They should also be suspended from the Nigeria route because they had earlier been written by the Nigeria Hajj Commission but they still refused to pay. Some rules guide international trade, especially in the aviation industry. They are not the only ones involved but others paid," claimed a consultant for Qatar Airways.
An email asking a response to the situation was also submitted to the airline's headquarters, but no response was received after 24 hours.
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