The rising cost of air travel this yuletide has sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians struggling to afford tickets amid frequent delays and flight cancellations.
As complaints mount, the National Assembly and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have stepped in, pledging to address the situation.
Sky-high festive airfares are not new in Nigeria, but the current surge is unprecedented in scale and impact. Many passengers now face not only expensive tickets but also uncertainty after paying premium fares, as delays and last-minute cancellations disrupt travel plans.
Industry experts attribute the crisis largely to limited aircraft capacity, worsened by increased passenger demand during the festive season. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu, said the surge has exposed longstanding operational weaknesses within airlines.
Airline operators, including Captain Ado Sanusi and Mr. George Uriesi, cited aircraft downtime, capacity constraints and a harsh operating environment as major challenges. They noted that airlines earn revenue in naira but pay most operational costs in dollars, leaving them in a constant struggle for survival.
While there is cautious optimism that government support to help airlines acquire more aircraft could ease the pressure, airfares continue to rise as Christmas and New Year approach. Airline operator Dr. Obiora Okonkwo blamed multiple cost drivers, including heavy taxes, volatile exchange rates, limited access to foreign exchange for spare parts and high maintenance costs.
As a result, passengers now pay between ₦300,000 and ₦500,000 for one-way tickets on some routes, with fares rising to as much as ₦800,000 on routes such as Anambra, Enugu and Port Harcourt when booked close to travel dates.
Some travellers accuse airlines of exploiting peak demand to recover earlier losses. However, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, insists that ticket prices are largely determined by market forces.
Lawmakers and industry stakeholders are now calling for a review of government taxes and charges to reduce pressure on fares. As Nigerians count down to the holidays, many are left wondering whether policy interventions will bring relief or keep festive air travel beyond the reach of average citizens.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen