As the yuletide season approaches, air passengers heading to the South Eastern part of Nigeria are faced with exorbitant return ticket prices exceeding N500,000, according to reports.
While other routes maintain pre-yuletide fares, flights to destinations such as Anambra, Enugu, and Owerri have experienced a significant spike in costs.
Return tickets from Lagos to Anambra on Air Peace are priced at N533,600, while Lagos-Enugu and Lagos-Owerri return tickets are listed at N343,200 and N533,600, respectively. United Nigeria Airlines offers Abuja-Anambra, Lagos-Anambra, Lagos-Enugu, and Lagos-Owerri return tickets at N441,000, N520,500, and N441,000, respectively. Dana Air, operating solely to Owerri in the South-East, charges N400,000 for return tickets during the festive season.
Despite the steep increase, airlines have reportedly sold out their seats for the yuletide season. Stakeholders attribute the surge to factors such as inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, airlines’ trapped funds, and rising jet fuel prices.
Secretary General of the Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI), Olumide Ohunayo, commented on the fare increase, stating that it is expected during the festive season and is influenced by demand and the timing of ticket purchases globally. He suggested that more airlines acquire wet-lease aircraft for busy routes to meet high demand.
Former Commandant of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), explained that the cost of aviation services globally reflects economic realities, and the surge is justified given the threefold increase in the dollar rate against the naira and the fourfold increase in aviation fuel costs over the past six months.
Despite the current high fares, industry experts predict a return to normal rates in January, after the peak festive season subsides.
