Lagos-Abuja Flight Fares Surge, As Air Peace Price to Hit N200,000 in November

Air Peace will hike the cost of its one-way ticket from Lagos to Abuja up to N200,000 from November 1, 2024.

According to reports, this increase, the highest among domestic airlines, has left many Nigerians turning to road transport as a more affordable alternative.

However, road transport has also become increasingly unaffordable for many as fuel prices have increased within months.

Aero Contractors charges N94,000 and N109,000, Arik Air tickets range from N104,405 to N139,292, and Ibom Air offers fares between N124,000 and N133,000.

A review of airfares on Monday revealed that while Air Peace is highest with the price of N200,000 and above for the popular Lagos-Abuja route, other airlines are not far behind.

This sharp rise in airfare has caused severe disruption for passengers, with many stranded at airports, unable to secure flights to their destinations. The Lagos-Abuja and Abuja-Lagos routes, which are among the busiest in Nigeria, are particularly affected, as seats are becoming increasingly difficult to secure.

An official of Air Peace, who spoke to THE PUNCH, attributed the fare increase to the worsening economic challenges in Nigeria, further explaining that the airline is struggling with escalating operating costs, which have forced the company to adjust its prices.

If you buy a ticket and see the breakdown, you will discover that we are bleeding as an aviation company. The cost of running the business is almost out of control,” the official said.

All these killing taxes go to the government, and airlines have been left with no choice but to increase fares. It is what it is.

The rising cost of air travel has become a pressing concern for many Nigerians, particularly in the face of widespread economic difficulties.

With inflation, fuel costs, and the depreciation of the naira driving up the expenses of airlines, operators are left with little option but to pass these costs onto consumers.

This has led to widespread dissatisfaction among passengers, many of whom can no longer afford to fly, leaving them stranded or turning to alternative means of transport.

Recall that the Aviation workers had earlier called for a strike this year due to the Federal Government’s policy of deducting 50% from the internally generated revenues of aviation agencies.

The affected agencies include the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The aviation unions have criticised the Federal Government for refusing to reverse the deduction policy, which they argued was crippling the operations of the aviation sector.

The unions had threatened to take action unless the policy was reversed, raising concerns over the sustainability of key aviation agencies under the financial strain.

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