Yuletide airfares soar across Nigeria as ticket prices top N300,000 amid high demand, aircraft shortages and rising operating costs.
Domestic ticket prices on major routes surged sharply this week as Yuletide airfares soar across the country, with some flights now crossing N300,000 in what travellers describe as the most severe festive-season spike in recent years.
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Checks by The PUNCH on Tuesday showed increases of about 150 per cent, particularly on the South-South and South-East routes that traditionally record heavy holiday traffic.
Before the festive rush, tickets on many domestic flights hovered around N120,000.
A review of airline booking platforms revealed that Lagos–Asaba on Air Peace rose from about N120,000 to over N300,000, with fares reaching N337,500 between 24 and 29 December.
Abuja–Asaba sits at N335,500 for most days between 23 and 28 December.
United Nigeria Airlines listed Lagos–Asaba at N399,999, while fares on its Abuja–Asaba service range between N335,499 and N360,499.
Air Peace will operate Lagos–Enugu only between 28 and 29 December at fares between N335,500 and N430,700.
Abuja–Enugu flights on the carrier sell for N335,500 until 28 December before dropping to N240,200 a day later.
Aero Contractors priced Lagos–Calabar between N151,786 and N187,976. United Nigeria Airlines lists Lagos–Benin at N335,499, rising by N10,000 on 31 December.
Many of these flights last under an hour, yet remain heavily subscribed due to safety concerns on interstate roads.
Fares for Lagos–Anambra on 17 December stand at N399,999, with several dates sold out. Lagos–Owerri flights fluctuate between N335,499 and N499,998 through December.
Operators attribute the extreme spike not only to demand but also to a shortage of serviceable aircraft.
Several airlines, including Air Peace, are operating reduced fleets due to maintenance delays and grounded aircraft abroad. Multiple operators also cited rising taxes and operational costs.
Aero Contractors Chief Financial Officer Charles Grant recently disclosed that Nigerian airlines operate only 38 serviceable aircraft nationwide.
He described the situation as unsustainable and blamed multiple charges and unfriendly government policies.
He urged the Federal Government to reinvest aviation revenues to stabilise the sector.
The pressure intensified after Air Peace suffered operational disruptions when its lessor, SmartLynx Airlines, withdrew four wet-leased aircraft without notice, despite receiving advance payment.
Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala said the sudden withdrawal disrupted schedules and caused widespread delays and cancellations.
He noted that 13 of the airline’s aircraft remain in maintenance abroad but assured that some units are returning to service.
Industry professionals echoed concern over the shrinking fleet. President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, Dr Alex Nwuba, confirmed significant capacity shortfalls but said airlines are working to bridge the gap.
He noted that two new carriers are expected to begin operations during the festive period, offering extra seats.
Nwuba added that higher fares are inevitable during the season due to the annual rise in demand.
He said the increased travel activity can still benefit the aviation sector by boosting confidence and supporting tourism if security challenges remain under control.
Former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Harold Demuren urged the government to expand airline support, even if it requires renegotiating unbalanced Bilateral Air Service Agreements.
Aviation analyst Olumide Ohunayo described the situation as seasonal but urged airlines to prioritise staff welfare to ensure professional handling of the larger December passenger volume.
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As the Yuletide travel rush builds, passengers now face a difficult choice between costly flights and road journeys complicated by insecurity, with no immediate relief expected unless capacity improves.
