Airline Operators Debunk Airfare as Cause of Reduced Air Travel in Nigeria

Airline operators in Nigeria have refuted claims that exorbitant airfares are responsible for the current low level of air travel in the country.

They attribute the decreased passenger turnout to the normal low season in the industry, rather than the cost of fares.

Fares for flights from Lagos to Abuja on various airlines were confirmed to be ranging from N78,000 to N196,548, a significant decrease from the peak season in December when fares were between N230,000 and N300,000.

Mr Achilleus Uchegbu, Head of Corporate Communications at United Nigeria Airlines, pointed out that the cost of tickets had little to no effect on a passenger’s decision to travel, citing the high passenger turnout during the Christmas season despite the increased fares.

He also mentioned that fluctuating airfares were a result of unstable foreign exchange rates.

Arik Air’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Adebanji Ola, echoed Uchegbu’s sentiment, stating that the low season for the industry was not unusual and that passenger turnout could be expected to increase around April or May.

Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, a senior official of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two in Ikeja, noted that the airport was not empty and that terminal operations were running smoothly.

She also pointed out that the simultaneous occurrence of the Christian Lenten season and the Islamic Ramadan fast could contribute to reduced air travel.

As the industry navigates through this low season, it remains to be seen how airlines will adjust their strategies to attract more passengers and whether the cost of airfares will continue to be a contentious issue for travelers in Nigeria.