The Nigerian Senate has taken a firm step over the rising cost of domestic air travel by summoning the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, along with major players in the aviation industry.
Lawmakers say the sharp jump in ticket prices has become a national concern that can no longer be ignored.
This decision was reached after Senator Buhari Abdulfatai drew attention to the situation during plenary on Tuesday.
He warned that the new fare regime is gradually pushing many Nigerians off the skies and could, if left unresolved, create widespread travel problems across the country.
While presenting his motion, Senator Buhari stressed that complaints from travellers have grown louder in recent weeks.
He explained that the cost of flying within Nigeria has climbed far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
According to him, a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now sits between N400,000 and N600,000—a development he described as alarming, especially at a time when many Nigerians are also avoiding long road trips due to insecurity.
He told his colleagues that the issue had reached a point where intervention was no longer optional.
“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate the issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” he declared during the session.
Several senators backed the call. Senator Adamu Aliero criticised the sudden spike in fares, saying the increases cannot be justified when compared to the economic realities citizens are facing.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi also expressed frustration, branding the situation a “400 percent increment” that Nigerians should never be subjected to. He wondered why the country still lacks a functional national carrier and urged Keyamo to provide answers.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan added that airline operators have enjoyed multiple concessions from the government, particularly in relation to spare parts and operational waivers.
In his view, the public deserves to know why prices keep rising despite those advantages.
However, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu attempted to defend the airlines, noting that operational costs have surged in recent months. He highlighted issues like rising maintenance expenses and the cost of importing critical parts.
His submission did not sit well with many senators who felt the explanation failed to justify the outrageous ticket prices.
In the end, the Senate reached a unanimous conclusion: the Minister of Aviation, regulatory agencies, and airline operators must appear before relevant committees this week.
Lawmakers said the meeting is expected to provide clear answers and set immediate actions to stabilise fares, especially as the festive season draws closer and passenger traffic is set to increase.