Nigerian Senate summons aviation chiefs over soaring domestic air ticket prices

The Nigerian Senate has vehemently condemned the "abysmal rise" in domestic air ticket prices, with some one-way fares reportedly soaring as high as N700,000. Senators expressed grave concerns that these exorbitant prices would make air travel unaffordable for many citizens planning to travel during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, highlighted personal experiences, noting a one-way Abuja to Lagos ticket cost between N450,000 and N500,000 across multiple airlines.

In response to this critical situation, the Senate has issued a summons to key aviation stakeholders. Those called to a closed-door meeting in Abuja include Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON); and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Senator Adamu Aliero labeled the new fares "outrageous and unaffordable," questioning the necessity of such hikes without corresponding increases in aviation fuel prices or other operational services. Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi further corroborated the issue, citing Air Peace and Ibom Air fares from Abuja to Enugu at N500,000 and N450,000 respectively.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the severity of the situation by illustrating that a N700,000 ticket equates to five months of a civil servant's N70,000 minimum wage. He suggested that the establishment of Nigeria Air could introduce competition, thereby compelling private airlines to reduce their fares. The Senate's resolution explicitly condemns the fare increases and mandates the meeting with industry leaders to prevent the exploitation of Nigerian travelers during the festive season.