The Acting Managing Director of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, has sounded the alarm over a sharp decline in domestic air travel demand in Nigeria, revealing that passenger traffic has dropped by 27% compared to 2024 figures.
Uriesi expressed concern while speaking at the Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and stressed that urgent measures were needed to reverse the trend.
“We are down by 27 per cent from 2024. We are in trouble—we have to find a way to get people flying again. Nobody will earn kobo if airlines do not fly,” he said. “Everybody talks about money because airlines are flying.”
Call for Collaboration Between Airports and Airlines
Mr. Uriesi emphasised that within the aviation ecosystem, airlines remain the key driver of economic activity. As such, he urged airports to work more closely with airlines to maintain viability and ensure mutual sustainability.
“In aviation, the airline is the engine of the ecosystem. Airports, regulators, ground handlers—none can function profitably if the airlines are not flying,” he noted.
He added that while many Nigerians are now exploring alternative modes of travel, more should be done to restore confidence and affordability in air transport.
Economic Realities Behind the Numbers
Industry observers have pointed to several economic challenges as major contributors to the slump in passenger numbers. These include:
- Rising airfares driven by inflation and operational costs
- Dwindling disposable income among Nigerians
- A weakened Naira, making imported aviation inputs more expensive
- Inactivity in the tourism sector
- The shrinking middle class, once a strong base for domestic air travel
Speaking to Vanguard, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, linked the downturn in air travel to Nigeria’s broader economic difficulties.
“If the economic condition of the country were vibrant, people would want to travel quickly for business. But the emerging middle class is dwindling. The average Nigerian is finding it harder to afford a ticket,” Sanusi stated.
He added that the declining interest in tourism, combined with cost-of-living pressures and exchange rate volatility, had all contributed to the subdued demand.
A Wake-Up Call for the Aviation Sector
The 27% drop in domestic passenger traffic is a significant blow to Nigeria’s aviation industry, which was already navigating a complex web of challenges post-COVID. For airlines operating on thin margins, the reduced passenger flow not only threatens profitability but also endangers jobs and service continuity.
Stakeholders at the ABSE summit echoed a shared concern: unless immediate steps are taken to address affordability, restore confidence in the economy, and make flying more accessible, the aviation industry could face prolonged turbulence.
For now, the message from industry leaders is clear—air travel must be made viable again, or the entire ecosystem risks stalling.