Airlines and NASS Dispute Increases Domestic Flight Prices By 100%
Checking airlines’ websites and Sun newspaper reports shows that Nigerian airline fares have increased by as much as 100%. Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Kebbi, Borno, Adamawa, Kano, and other northern states have seen ticket prices surge through the roof by at least 100%.
In the wake of rising living costs, many Nigerians have turned to social media to express their pain.
According to SunNews, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has raised the price of economy class aircraft tickets to 50,000 naira.
Operators agreed to the increase during a meeting in Lagos on Saturday, where they cited the high price of jet A1 fuel, currency scarcity, double-digit inflation, rising ground handling charges, and the cost to procure and import spare parts as reasons.
Increases in prices were visible on several airlines’ websites almost immediately.
Ticket prices
Tickets from Lagos to Abuja in economy class, which used to cost between N29,000 and N35, 000, are now N50, 000, according to SunNews.
On the websites of Dana Air, United Nigeria, Azman Air, Air Peace, and Max Air, economy tickets from Lagos to Abuja start at N50,000. Aero Contractors, which used to be N26,000, now costs N48,365, while Arik Air charges N48,500. Ibom Air costs N53,00.
Green Africa, on the other hand, used to retail for N20,000 but is currently selling for N39, 000 (excluding luggage fees).
Flights delay airlines
At the meeting, the union challenged the National Assembly inquiry on the number of flight delays announced in 2021, Nairametrics reports. Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa, president of AON, stated that the politicians’ statements merely served to intensify feelings and send the incorrect message to the general people.
The Chairmen of the Aviation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, Sen. Smart Adeyemi and Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, have indicated that if local carriers fail to reduce flight delays and cancellations, international airlines would be invited to operate domestic flights.
In his response, Yunusa also stated that it is not in the financial interests of any airline, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, to postpone or cancel flights. This is because it has significant financial and image ramifications.
He said:
“Delays and cancellations are thus the last thing any airline wants for these reasons. While flight delays and cancellations occur all around the world, it is worth noting that in Nigeria, 80 percent of delays and cancellations are due to or caused by causes outside the control of airlines”.
“As a result, AON wishes to make the general public aware that airlines in Nigeria operate in an environment plagued by infrastructure defects that are highly disruptive to regular schedule reliability and on-time performance.”
Nigerians react
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the news that a returning flight ticket is now over N100,000.
Ahmad Musa reacted:
“Na by force to enter plane, abeggy”
Also, Uwem Archibong said: To travel by flights, is it everlasting life?
