United Airlines CEO Prof. Obiora Okonkwo says Nigerian airfares remain among the cheapest globally despite rising ticket prices and seasonal demand

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines Limited, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has defended domestic air travel in Nigeria, insisting that fares remain among the cheapest globally despite complaints over rising ticket prices.

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The statement was made on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

Okonkwo, who also serves as spokesperson for airline operators in Nigeria, explained that carriers face significant operational pressures yet continue to keep fares comparatively low.

He cited dollar-denominated costs, high-interest loans, multiple taxes, and expensive spare parts as factors driving operational expenses beyond those experienced by airlines in other countries.

“I think internal air travel within Nigeria is one of the cheapest. We operate in the same market, buy aircraft from the same market, and pay staff like airlines in other countries,” Okonkwo said. He clarified that the most expensive ticket categories are often misrepresented online as standard fares.

The executive attributed recent price hikes to increased travel demand during the festive season, comparing the trends to global patterns in both aviation and road transport. Okonkwo emphasised that airlines plan for seasonal surges through scheduling and aircraft maintenance.

Okonkwo also highlighted that historical fares were lower when the naira traded at around N250 to the dollar, noting that even current high fares often equate to less than $200, and many pertain to business or premium economy classes rather than standard economy.

His remarks coincide with intensified regulatory scrutiny. The House of Representatives recently called for tax waivers and reductions in auxiliary charges to ease fares during the Yuletide period, while the Senate summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and other stakeholders over ticket prices.

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Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has expanded its investigation into domestic airfares, reviewing pricing templates and ticketing practices to determine if fare increases violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.