As the festive season approaches, domestic travelers in Nigeria are facing significant challenges with the doubling of airfares on high-traffic seasonal routes. Airlines have raised concerns about the surge in airfare, attributing it to a combination of factors including the high cost of operation, limited capacity, heightened demand during the holiday period, and allegations of exploitation.
In October, the average cost of a one-hour Economy flight ticket rose to N100,000, and it has now reached N200,000 for flights on East and Southern routes. Round-trip fares are selling for between N350,000 and almost half a million, depending on seat availability.
Investigations across various airlines revealed a substantial increase in fares, ranging from N120,500 to N270,000 for a one-hour (one-way) flight. These rates vary depending on the airline and the time of booking. Routes such as Lagos-Anambra on Air Peace are priced at N171,500 one-way in the week leading up to Christmas, and N66,900 after Christmas. Similarly, Lagos-Enugu on United Nigeria Airline (UNA) ranges between N125,500 and N220,500.
While flights on traditional routes like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano remain in the range of N100,000 to N160,000, the surge in airfare has been exacerbated by the steady depreciation of the naira to the dollar and the escalating cost of aviation fuel.
The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, and spokesperson of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), highlighted that domestic airfares historically did not immediately reflect increases in fuel prices and other operational costs to ensure affordability for the public. Okonkwo acknowledged that recent fare adjustments were aimed at balancing the costs of operations, emphasizing the importance of flying safely, viability, and business sustainability.
On the other hand, the CEO of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, attributed the high fares to certain airlines monopolizing Eastern routes due to low capacity. Sanusi called for increased capacity and the entry of additional airlines into the market to enhance competition and drive down prices. He criticized the current regulatory policies that hinder the entry of new airlines, suggesting that a more competitive landscape would benefit passengers by reducing airfares.
