Passengers face steep fare increases across major routes as aviation fuel costs and liquidity pressures reshape Nigeria’s domestic flight pricing.
Domestic air travel in Nigeria has entered a new price phase as airlines adjust their minimum base fares, with one-way tickets on several major routes now reportedly reaching between ₦200,000 and above.
The sharp increase in ticket prices reflects mounting operational challenges within the aviation sector, including rising costs, liquidity constraints, and escalating debt pressures, although industry stakeholders insist the changes are not driven solely by aviation fuel prices.
Checks across airline booking platforms show that multiple carriers have implemented new fare structures, while a few others are yet to fully adjust their pricing models in response to the current economic realities.
Aviation fuel, commonly known as Jet A1, is currently selling at about ₦2,650 per litre at some airports across the country, further intensifying cost pressures on airline operations.
Among the airlines affected, United Nigeria Airlines has reportedly set its minimum base fare at around ₦200,000 per flight regardless of route. Similarly, Air Peace has adjusted its fares to approximately ₦211,600 for one-way tickets on select routes.
Ibom Air has also increased its base fare to about ₦200,300, aligning with the broader industry trend of upward pricing adjustments.
However, some airlines are still offering comparatively lower fares. Arik Air reportedly maintains prices in the range of ₦113,000 to ₦114,000 on the Abuja–Lagos route, while Aero Contractors operates fares between ₦123,127 and ₦146,702 on selected routes. ValueJet fares on the Lagos–Abuja corridor currently range between ₦118,571 and ₦132,857.
Industry stakeholders say the fare increases were largely unavoidable due to rising operational expenses, foreign exchange pressures, and increasing financial strain within the aviation sector.
An airline official, speaking anonymously, said the pricing adjustments were independently made by individual carriers based on their financial realities, rather than through any coordinated industry agreement.
The official explained that airlines are now struggling to sustain operations under the weight of rising Jet A1 costs, adding that continued absorption of these expenses could threaten the viability of airline businesses.
Passengers have been urged to understand the necessity of the price adjustments, with operators warning that further increases may occur if economic conditions do not improve.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had earlier promised intervention measures to mitigate the impact of high aviation fuel costs, but no concrete policy action has yet been implemented.
In a related development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified health surveillance measures at international airports following renewed Ebola Virus Disease alerts in parts of Central Africa.
FAAN confirmed that it is working closely with the Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant agencies to enhance passenger screening and border health monitoring systems.
The authority stated that travellers are currently being screened for Ebola symptoms, while any suspected cases will be isolated and managed according to established health protocols.
It further noted that staff training, emergency preparedness, and inter-agency coordination have been strengthened to ensure rapid response to any potential health risks.
Although no Ebola cases have been recorded in Nigeria, FAAN urged passengers to remain calm, comply with screening procedures, and promptly report any symptoms to health officials when necessary.
Aviation analysts warn that unless structural reforms are introduced to stabilize fuel supply and operational costs, domestic airfares may continue to rise in the coming months.
