Mr. Kunle Akinbode, Head of Cooperative Communications at
Port Harcourt International Airport, stated this in an interview with the
Nigerian News Agency , on Monday in Port Harcourt.
According to Akinbode, aviation fuel that used to sell for
around 250 naira per litre, is now selling for more than 400 naira per litre,
adding that the increase also includes prices for spare parts which have risen
sharply in recent times.
“The FAAN and other regulatory agencies in the aviation
industry are aware of the plight of airport users, especially with regard to
rising airline airfares.
“Currently aviation fuel sells for over N400 per litre, all
aircraft components/parts needed for operations are imported so this has
invariably affected airfare.
On how the new fare is affecting passenger patronage,
Akinbode noted that patronage was considerably good regardless of the high
flight fare.
“Nigerians will continue to fly no matter the cost because
speed and safety are a huge advantage of air travel over the road,” he said.
One of the air passengers, who spoke with , urged the
Federal Government to extend its railway infrastructure development to the
South-South region of the country.
“If we had an alternative like rail, just like in other
parts of the country, many of us would prefer to use the train,” said Johnson
Ikor, an airline passenger.