A reduction in serviceable aircraft among Nigerian carriers has led to a significant increase in domestic airfares, with one-hour flights now costing between N92,000 and N250,000 depending on booking times. The Lagos-Abuja route, the busiest in Nigeria, sees the highest fares, with passengers facing steep prices even when booking days in advance. Other routes, including Lagos to Asaba, Benin, Ilorin, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar, Yola, Maiduguri, and Kano, are also affected by these prohibitive costs.
Checks reveal that booking a flight on a major carrier for the Lagos-Abuja route costs between N123,900 and N238,200 for travel within the next four days. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that the average price of domestic flight tickets has increased by over N79,011 in a year. Despite the high costs, air travel remains attractive due to its speed and the insecurity challenges in some parts of the country.
READ ALSO
Former British Airways Hostages Sue UK Government and Airline
The decrease in the number of active carriers, with DANA Air, NG Eagle Airlines, Rano Air, and AZMAN Air undergoing technical and safety audits, has led to capacity issues for other operators like Air Peace, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air. Regulatory data shows the current fleet includes about 91 airplanes, a significant drop from the 120 aircraft a few years ago. Increased operational costs and limited access to capital further complicate fleet expansion.
Industry experts attribute escalating fares to reduced fleet sizes and high operational costs. Nigerian carriers face financial constraints, including the devaluation of the naira and expensive aviation fuel. Additionally, they pay higher insurance premiums due to Nigeria's high-risk perception. The scarcity of foreign exchange exacerbates the issue, with some airlines unable to retrieve aircraft sent abroad for maintenance, leading to more grounded planes and increased fares.
