Major domestic carriers in Nigeria have increased ticket prices across several high-traffic routes as rising aviation fuel costs and mounting operational expenses continue to pressure the country’s airline industry.
Leading operators including Air Peace, Ibom Air and United Nigeria Airlines have adjusted economy class fares beyond N200,000 on multiple domestic routes linking Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Asaba and Uyo.
According to Brandspur Banking News Desk, the sharp increase in domestic airfares reflects worsening cost pressures across Nigeria’s aviation sector, with airlines struggling to absorb the impact of expensive Jet A1 fuel, foreign exchange volatility and multiple regulatory charges.
Market checks show that one-way economy tickets on the Lagos–Owerri route, which averaged around N150,000 earlier in the year, now exceed N200,000 on several carriers. Similar price increases have also affected the Lagos–Port Harcourt and Lagos–Abuja routes, where ticket costs have climbed above the N200,000 threshold.
Among the most expensive domestic corridors is the Lagos–Enugu route, where airfare prices have surged significantly in recent months. Some carriers now charge above N220,000 for economy seats, while premium ticket categories on certain airlines have climbed above N340,000, making it one of the costliest local travel routes in the country.
Despite the widespread fare increases, a few operators including Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Rano Air have maintained comparatively lower prices on selected routes, with fares still ranging between N125,000 and N148,000.
Industry stakeholders attribute the latest airfare surge primarily to the sustained increase in aviation fuel prices. Jet A1 fuel, which remains one of the largest cost components for airlines, is currently selling between N1,900 and N2,000 per litre despite recent supply interventions aimed at stabilising the market.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria previously disclosed that aviation fuel prices rose by more than 266 percent within a short period, climbing from about N900 per litre to over N3,300 before recent market adjustments eased prices slightly.
Earlier this year, airline operators warned of possible nationwide operational disruptions due to rising costs and deteriorating profitability. In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a 30 percent reduction on outstanding statutory debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies in a bid to ease financial pressure within the sector.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said the intervention was designed to support struggling carriers and prevent wider disruptions to domestic flight operations. However, economic analysts argue that the relief measures may provide only temporary stability without broader structural reforms.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise warned that Nigeria’s airline industry continues to operate within a challenging environment characterised by high operating costs, excessive regulatory charges and foreign exchange pressures.
According to the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Muda Yusuf, multiple aviation-related fees including landing charges, parking fees, passenger service charges, aircraft inspection costs and import duties on spare parts consume a substantial portion of airline revenues, making profitability increasingly difficult for operators.
Industry analysts say domestic passengers may face even higher ticket prices in the coming months unless aviation fuel costs decline significantly or the government introduces wider fiscal and regulatory reforms capable of reducing operating expenses across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
