Some domestic airlines have raised ticket prices to the South-East and South-South regions by 131 per cent ahead of the Yuletide.
The price adjustments, which usually take effect mostly from December 1, come four months to the Christmas and New Year season, when airlines usually experience higher demand.
Findings showed that Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has jacked up its one-way economy ticket from Lagos to Asaba in Delta State from N147,000 to N337,500.
Lagos to Enugu and Benin in Edo State, on a one-way economy ticket, the carrier’s fare increased simultaneously from N145,000 to N335,500, while Abuja to Benin also increased from N145,000 to N335,500.
For United Nigeria, a one-way economy ticket from Lagos to Enugu would increase from N125,500 to N335,500 starting from December 11.
One-way economy tickets from Lagos to Owerri in Imo State and Asaba in Delta State simultaneously rose from N125,500 to N335,500.
However, for Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air, checks by Vanguard showed that fares are still within the same price range.’
Meanwhile, some passengers expressed frustration, saying that despite insecurity concerns, they might have to resort to road transportation.
Recently, Vice Chairman of AON, Allen Onyema, identified reasons airfares were not dropping, saying they include landing cost, aviation fuel, also known as Jet-A1 and insurance.
Addressing newsmen at Air Peace’s headquarters in Lagos, he said: “Aviation fuel remains a major issue for airlines worldwide. A litre of fuel sells for about N1,050 to N1,100. A Boeing 777 burns between 3,500 and 4,000 litres per hour on the Lagos to Abuja route.
“When multiplied, that amounts to roughly N5 million. In addition, once an aircraft takes off, there is an associated engine cost per landing. Every cycle carries an engine cost, alongside the cost of insurance.
“There is a cost attached to everything, including the airframe, fuselage and landing gear. If the aircraft is wet-leased, the operator pays about $6,000 per hour.”
