Domestic airfares soar by 57.8%

Domestic air travel in Nigeria has become significantly more expensive over the past year, with average one-way fares on key routes reaching N124,693.40 in September 2024, marking a 57.8 per cent rise from N79,013.48 in September 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Though fares rose only 0.8 per cent from August, the modest increase indicates a possible stabilization in monthly price adjustments. However, the overall year-on-year hike is reshaping the affordability and accessibility of domestic air travel, experts say.

However, analysts caution that these escalating costs, largely attributed to rising fuel prices, currency depreciation, and increased demand, could reshape the landscape of Nigeria’s domestic air travel.

The NBS report highlights the broader inflationary pressures and regional fare disparities across Nigeria’s aviation market.

Geographically, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) reported the highest airfares, averaging N129,600, with close followers Anambra (N129,045) and Oyo (N128,928).

In contrast, Zamfara recorded the lowest average fare at N96,969, followed by Ekiti (N120,555.37) and Kano (N121,626.57).

Travel analyst Mercy Onuora explained, “These regional differences underscore both demand dynamics and operational cost variability. In high-demand cities like Abuja, airlines have higher flexibility in pricing, while in lower-traffic states, fares are somewhat moderated by reduced frequency and fewer flight routes.”

The NBS report also breaks down fare changes across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The South-West led with an average fare of N126,013.30, showing a 1.8 per cent month-on-month rise and a significant 59.8 percent increase from last year.

The South-East followed closely with an average fare of N125,881.64, reflecting a 60.95 per cent year-on-year increase. This trend, Onuora suggests, reflects a robust demand for connectivity in and beyond Nigeria, driven by the region’s bustling commercial activity.

However, in the North-West, where average fares were the lowest among zones at N120,731.25, costs still showed a notable 52.6 per cent increase from last year, posing a challenge to affordability even in less-demand-heavy regions.