Holiday Travel Blues: Average Airfare Hits N200,000, Straining Budgets for Domestic Flyers

As the holiday season approaches, domestic travellers in Nigeria are facing significant airfare challenges, with local airlines doubling prices on high-traffic seasonal routes. The average cost of a one-hour Economy flight ticket, which rose to N100,000 in October, has now surged to a staggering N200,000 for flights on East and Southern routes. Round-trip variants are selling between N350,000 and nearly half a million, subject to seat availability.

The sharp increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including the high cost of operation, limited capacity, heightened demand typical of the festive period, and allegations of exploitation. Findings across airlines reveal that the average one-way flight fare, which was N70,000 in early October, now ranges from N120,500 to N270,000, depending on the airline and time of booking.

For instance, Air Peace’s Lagos-Anambra flight a week before Christmas sold at N171,500 for one-way, while post-Christmas prices averaged N66,900. Other routes, such as Lagos-Enugu, displayed competitive pricing ranging from N123,900 to N266,800 on Air Peace and N125,500 to N220,500 on United Nigeria Airline (UNA).

Traditional routes like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano maintain fares in the range of N100,000 to N160,000. The decline of the naira against the dollar and soaring aviation fuel prices, nearing N1000/litre, further compound the challenges for operators and travel agencies.

Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, explained that fare increases are essential for viability amid a 400% rise in aviation fuel costs over the last three years. He emphasized the need for affordability while covering operational expenses to ensure airline sustainability.

However, Capt. Ado Sanusi, CEO of Aero Contractors, blamed exploitative pricing on airlines monopolizing Eastern routes due to low capacity. He urged increased capacity and the inclusion of more airlines to enhance competition and drive down prices.

Operators continue to criticize the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) policy mandating local carriers to have a minimum fleet of six aircraft, claiming it contributes to flight delays and cancellations. As the festive season unfolds, travellers are left grappling with soaring airfares and hoping for interventions to alleviate the financial strain of holiday travel.