As Christmas approaches, airfare to Southeast states in Nigeria has surged to unprecedented levels, with return tickets exceeding N700,000 on some routes. The steep fares are impacting travelers heading to predominantly Christian states like Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and the South-South state of Rivers, where festive celebrations are a yearly tradition.
LEADERSHIP’s survey of airline websites, including Air Peace, United Nigeria Airline, Ibom Air, Arik, and Aero Contractor, revealed soaring ticket prices. A Lagos-Anambra round trip on United Nigeria Airline costs N700,000, while Abuja-Owerri flights are priced at N550,000. Similarly, Air Peace charges N672,900 for a return flight to Anambra, with one-way Lagos-Port Harcourt flights hitting N200,000 during the peak travel period.
The high demand for flights is fueled by a seasonal surge in travelers returning home and concerns over road insecurity, including kidnapping risks. Experts attribute the price spike to limited airline capacity, reduced competition, and the high cost of aviation fuel and maintenance, all compounded by the naira’s depreciation.
Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Round Table Initiative, noted that such airfare hikes are seasonal, driven by increased demand during Christmas and summer periods. “It’s a temporary situation. Prices will normalize after the season,” he assured.
Daisi Olotu, CEO of Dees Travel and Tour Limited, highlighted the lack of competition on Southeast routes. “With fewer airlines flying these routes, prices are bound to increase. We need more airlines to encourage competition and reduce fares,” he suggested.
In response to the steep airfares, many travelers are opting for road transportation despite the rising cost of fuel. Bus operators and ride-sharing services report increased patronage as families prioritize cost-effective means of reuniting.
However, safety concerns persist for road travelers. Experts recommend enhanced security measures and the development of additional travel options to mitigate the challenges faced by holiday travelers.
As the festive season peaks, stakeholders are calling for strategic investments in the aviation sector to enhance capacity, foster competition, and make travel more affordable for Nigerians.