Nigerians travelling for the Christmas and New Year holidays are facing a severe aviation squeeze as domestic airfares have skyrocketed to between ₦300,000 and ₦400,000 on major routes, triggering frustration, last-minute ticket scrambles and widespread accusations of price exploitation.
The surge comes amid rising demand, reduced seat availability and escalating operational costs for airlines.
Airfares Hit Record Levels Across Major Routes
Data from travel aggregators and airline booking portals on Tuesday showed:
- Lagos → Abuja: ₦320,000 – ₦400,000
- Abuja → Port Harcourt: ₦300,000 – ₦380,000
- Lagos → Enugu: ₦350,000 – ₦420,000
- Abuja → Owerri: ₦320,000 – ₦380,000
- Lagos → Asaba: ₦310,000 – ₦390,000
Several passengers reported that flights for December 22–27 were fully booked, with only premium-class seats available on some airlines.
Airlines Give Reasons: High Costs + Christmas Demand
Airline executives say the spike reflects a combination of:
- increased jet-A1 fuel prices
- aircraft maintenance abroad
- scarcity of spare parts
- forex pressure
- seasonal surge in passenger volume
One airline operations manager told IDNN:
“The demand is extreme every December.
Combined with our cost challenges, fares naturally go up.”
Passengers Cry Foul: “This is daylight robbery”
Travellers expressed outrage on social media and at airport counters.
A Lagos-based journalist told IDNN:
“How can a domestic flight be ₦400k?
Some international tickets are cheaper.
This feels like price gouging.”
Others reported delays in confirming bookings even after full payments.
Ground Transport Not an Option for Many
The spike has placed pressure on alternative travel options.
- Interstate buses are overbooked
- Night buses are charging surge prices
- Security concerns on highways remain high
- Travel times have increased due to bad roads
For many families, flying remains the only viable choice — and airlines know it.
Travel Agencies: “Book now or pay double later”
Travel agents warn that the situation may worsen in the next ten days.
Peak dates such as December 20–24 are expected to see:
- fare spikes above ₦450k
- reduced economy seats
- higher cancellation rates
- more demand-shock pricing
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Federal Government Under Pressure to Intervene
Consumer groups have asked aviation regulators to:
- probe price fixing
- review airline fare bands
- impose festive-season oversight
- curb predatory ticketing practices
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has yet to issue a directive.
Airlines: “We are not overcharging”
Carriers maintain that prices reflect:
- market-driven seasonal demand
- operational constraints
- reduced fleet availability
- foreign exchange volatility
They insist no collusion exists among operators.
Aviation Analysts: Symptoms of a Deeper Crisis
Experts say the December fare surge exposes:
- chronic underinvestment in domestic aviation
- declining fleet capacity
- regulatory gaps
- dependence on foreign MRO (maintenance)
- poor forex access
- economic volatility affecting ticket affordability
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