Nigeria’s domestic air travel market has been hit by a surge in ticket prices, with one-way fares on some routes climbing by as much as 150 per cent to cross the ₦300,000 mark.
The spike, which has been most pronounced on South-South and South-East routes, reflects the seasonal rush of passengers during the Yuletide period, compounded by aircraft shortages and other economic factors.
Before the holiday season, tickets on major domestic routes averaged around ₦120,000.
But checks on airline booking platforms this week revealed that fares have skyrocketed, particularly on high-demand routes such as Lagos–Asaba, Lagos–Enugu, and Lagos–Owerri.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, listed Lagos–Asaba tickets at ₦337,500 between December 24 and 29, while United Nigeria Airlines priced the same route at nearly ₦400,000.
On some days, Abuja–Asaba and Lagos–Owerri flights were quoted at between ₦335,000 and ₦499,000.
Even shorter flights of less than an hour, such as Lagos–Benin, have crossed ₦335,000, underscoring the scale of the surge.
Airlines Struggle with Capacity
Operators attribute the spike not only to seasonal demand but also to capacity shortfalls. Many Nigerian airlines are operating with just four to six active aircraft, while others have planes stranded in overseas maintenance facilities.
Charles Grant, Chief Financial Officer of Aero Contractors, recently disclosed that only 38 serviceable aircraft are currently flying in Nigeria, a figure he described as symptomatic of an aviation system in need of urgent intervention.
He blamed multiple taxation and unfriendly government policies for the sector’s struggles, urging authorities to reinvest aviation revenues back into the industry rather than treating it as a cash cow.
Air Peace has also faced operational disruptions after its lessor, SmartLynx Airlines, abruptly withdrew four wet-leased aircraft without notice, despite receiving advance payment.
The withdrawal, which the airline described as a violation of industry standards, forced cancellations and delays during peak travel weeks.
Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala explained that the lease was intended to bridge gaps while 13 of Air Peace’s aircraft undergo scheduled maintenance abroad.
He assured passengers that some of those planes are now returning to service, which should ease pressure on capacity.
Experts Call for Government Support
Industry experts confirm that the shortage of aircraft has been a key driver of the fare surge. Dr. Alex Nwuba, President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, said Air Peace’s loss of several planes reduced daily capacity by about 300 seats.
He noted, however, that the return of some aircraft and the entry of two new airlines could help stabilise supply. Still, he cautioned that higher fares are inevitable during festive periods, describing the pattern as seasonal.
Former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Harold Demuren, called on the Federal Government to support local operators by renegotiating Bilateral Air Service Agreements that disadvantage Nigerian carriers.
“In BASA, both parties must benefit; it should not be one-sided. The Nigerian government needs to protect the local carriers. You can renegotiate your BASAs. It may be difficult, but you can renegotiate,” he said.
Olumide Ohunayo, another aviation analyst, described the fare surge as seasonal but urged airlines to pay closer attention to staff welfare and passenger handling during the rush.
He argued that professional service delivery is critical to managing the stress of peak travel periods.
For many Nigerians, the soaring fares are forcing difficult choices. While air travel remains the preferred option for speed and safety, especially given insecurity on the roads, some passengers are now considering road transport as a cheaper alternative.
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