ESAT News (May 22, 2017)
Nigerian authorities order Ethiopian Airlines to stop collection of “deportation charges” following the discovery that the Ethiopian carrier charges Nigerians travelling to South Africa “deportation charges.”
Daily Trust reports that the charge estimated at between $75 to $150 (N35,000- N70,000) is tagged, “Refundable Deportation Fee” which all South African bound passengers are compelled to pay before boarding.
Reports show that the South African government had deported 187 Nigerians in 2017 alone. Following complaints made to the regulatory authority over the illegal charges, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered the airline to stop forthwith the illegal collection of unauthorised charges.
The report quoted Spokesman of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye as saying that the authority had been inundated with several complaints from many passengers that have suffered this fate, noting that the Authority did not receive any request for fare increase, tariff or add-ons from the airline.
“While passengers are not given prior notice concerning these charges before arriving at the airports, some were made to sign undertaken to be responsible for all expenses incurred if deported.” he said.
The authority ordered the Ethiopian carrier to stop with immediate effect the illegal charges, the report said.