EXCLUSIVE: Why Nigerian politicians travelling to UK, U.S., other countries, always jostle for N16m First Class Cabin  

 

 

 

As of Friday, September 29, a roundtrip Business Class ticket to U.S. from Abuja on Ethiopian Airline, sells for N15.6 million. Passengers on Economy Class, in the same airline, pay only N1.2 million. Curiously, the demand for the N15.6 million ticket far outweighs the supply.

 

 

For First Class passengers on British Airways to US, they pay N16m. Business Class passengers in the same aircraft part with N9m while those on the Economy Class cough out N6.4 million. But the N16 million ticket is the most sought for, followed by N9 million.

 

 

Foreign air travels are priced in the United States dollar. A weak Naira means higher abroad travel cost.

 

The announcement by the Central Bank in June to unify the official and parallel market rates has exacerbated the problem of the Naira, causing it to weaken to about N1,000 to a dollar at the street market. This has caused a jump in air fare.

 

In the last one week, the exchange rate used to price air ticket on the platform of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the trade association of global airline industry, is N851 to a dollar.

 

Many Nigerian passengers travelling abroad on Economy Class have been lamenting that they have to cough out so much in air ticket. But those who travel First Class or Business Class, appear not to have any of such worries.

 

For instance, roundtrip Economy Class on British Airways to UK as at the time of writing this report, is N4.1 million. First Class in the same aircraft is N11.4 million. Despite the huge difference in price, the 8 available First Class seats in the aircraft, are always the first to be taken.

 

“If there is no available First Class or Business Class seats, these First Class and Business Class passengers will cancel their trip, and ask that they should be booked on the next available flight,” a travel consultant who wishes not to be mentioned, told PoliticsNow on condition of anonymity.

 

The Nigerians who prefer First Class/Business Class travel

 

Nigerian politicians are on the top list of First Class or Business Class travelers, even though they are elected to serve the people, and travel at the expense of tax payers’ money.

 

“Like the recent trip of Nigerian government officials to United Nations General Assembly, all the delegates travelled First Class,” the travel expert reveals.

 

He said those who head corporate organisations, including bank chief executives, directors,  even managing directors of several of the Electricity Distribution companies all travel First Class, paying as much as N12 million to N16 million on the same aircraft others pay less than N1.3 million.

 

Why First Class

 

Those who travel First Class enjoy certain luxuries not available for passengers on the Economy Cabin.

 

For instance, on a British Airways flight, First class passengers enjoy priority boarding and a first-class suite that features a lie-flat bed, amenity kit, loungewear, and upgraded bedding. Meals are served on-demand, including premium wines and spirits.

 

While comfort is a motivation for First Class travel, other reasons also exist, including status symbol, striking connection with the high and mighty and having a general sense of ‘I too belong.’