Starting November 1, 2024, a one-way flight from Lagos to Abuja on Air Peace will cost ₦200,000, marking a significant increase in airfare amidst Nigeria’s economic struggles.
The current harsh economic climate has severely impacted the aviation industry, forcing airlines to raise their fares, much to the dismay of passengers. This situation has led many Nigerians to opt for road transport instead of flying.
According to checks conducted on Monday, Air Peace’s new fare of ₦200,000 for a one-way Lagos-Abuja trip is the highest among domestic airlines. By comparison, Aero charges between ₦94,000 and ₦109,000, Arik Air prices range from ₦104,405 to ₦139,292, while Ibom Air tickets are between ₦124,000 and ₦133,000.
These soaring airfares have left many passengers stranded, unable to secure flights, particularly on the busiest domestic routes—Lagos to Abuja and vice versa. The challenge of finding affordable seats has intensified in recent times.
An Air Peace official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the price hike and attributed it to Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions. “If you check the breakdown of the ticket price, you’ll see that we are struggling to keep afloat as a business. Operating costs are spiraling out of control,” the official said. She also pointed out the burden of numerous taxes imposed by the government on airlines, leaving them with little choice but to increase fares.
Attempts to reach the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Toyin Olajide, for comments were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.
A businessman, Adeleke Aina, expressed his frustration over the skyrocketing airfares, saying that he might soon switch to road transport for his travel needs. “The continuous rise in ticket prices is becoming unbearable. The government seems unconcerned about this crisis, and it’s affecting every aspect of our lives,” Aina lamented.
