Airlines have increased fares on major domestic routes ahead of the Yuletide, with ticket prices on some flights rising by about 150 per cent to over N300,000. The sharp jump comes as more Nigerians travel to the South-South and South-East during the festive period.
Fares on these routes have climbed far above the average N120,000 charged before the travel rush. Operators say the spike is driven by high demand and a shortage of available aircraft.
A review of airline booking platforms on Tuesday showed significant increases across carriers. On Air Peace, a one-way Lagos–Asaba economy ticket that previously cost about N120,000 now sells for over N300,000. Between December 24 and 29, the fare stands at N337,500, while Abuja–Asaba tickets are listed at N335,500 between December 23 and 28, dropping to N240,000 from December 29 to 31.
Aero Contractors priced a Lagos–Asaba ticket at N238,452 for December 24. United Nigeria Airlines listed Lagos–Asaba fares at N399,999, while its Abuja–Asaba flights between December 22 and 26 range from N335,499 to N360,499.
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Air Peace is scheduled to operate Lagos–Enugu flights on December 28 and 29, with fares between N335,500 and N430,700. Abuja–Enugu tickets on the airline sell for N335,500 between December 24 and 28, and N240,200 on December 29.
Flights to Calabar and Benin have also seen increases. Aero Contractors’ Lagos–Calabar ticket ranges between N187,976 and N151,786 from December 22 to 24. United Nigeria is selling Lagos–Benin tickets for N335,499 between December 22 and 30, rising by N10,000 on December 31. Air Peace’s Lagos–Port Harcourt fare remains N335,500 from December 23 to 29.
Short flights are also affected. United Nigeria’s Lagos–Anambra fare for December 17 is N399,999, with flights between December 18 and 21 already sold out. Lagos–Owerri passengers on the same airline face fares between N335,499 and N499,998 from December.