As the Christmas holiday approaches, Nigerian air travellers are confronting sharply higher fares and limited availability, with ticket prices for popular domestic routes more than doubling. Industry insiders attribute the surge to a combination of increased passenger demand and a shortage of operational aircraft, leaving many travellers scrambling for seats or seeking alternative transport options.
According to checks on airline booking websites, flights to cities such as Asaba, Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Anambra are already fully booked from December 20 to early January. Ticket prices for one-way return trips from Lagos to Enugu now range between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000, and in some cases reach as high as ₦600,000—far above pre-Christmas norms. Even competitive routes such as Lagos to Abuja have seen fares climb to between ₦150,000 and ₦350,000.
Industry stakeholders warn that the spike in fares and scarcity of seats could disproportionately affect diaspora Nigerians and other travellers reliant on connecting flights, leaving them struggling to reach inland cities. “Most local airlines operating popular routes during Christmas are already fully booked. For those with seats, it is quite expensive to book now. Some tickets are going for as high as ₦500,000, which is above the reach of average Nigerians,” said Ndukwe Ginika Ogechi, CEO of Geena Travels and Tours Limited.
Aircraft Shortages and Maintenance Bottlenecks
Experts point to a persistent decline in available aircraft as a major driver of the crisis. In recent years, airlines have grounded planes for maintenance that have yet to return to service, while others were forced to halt operations due to regulatory directives. Six years ago, 10 domestic airlines in Nigeria operated over 120 aircraft; recent data show that the number of aircraft in active domestic service has dwindled to just 91, including planes undergoing maintenance.
Charles Grant, CFO of Aero Contractors, emphasized the strain this creates: “Today, most Nigerian airlines operate with just four to six active aircraft, despite national demand. That’s not a choice—it’s the result of punitive economics.”
Operational Disruptions Compound Pressure
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, recently faced disruptions after SmartLynx Airlines withdrew three leased aircraft without notice, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Nowel Ngala, Air Peace’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline had leased the aircraft to fill gaps while 13 of its own planes underwent maintenance abroad. Despite these challenges, some maintenance-returned aircraft have been reintegrated into service, helping mitigate extreme fare spikes.
High maintenance costs, volatile foreign exchange rates, and reliance on dollar-denominated leases are ongoing pressures on the domestic aviation system, keeping operations thin and fares high.
Calls for Structural Intervention
Experts argue that systemic intervention is needed to stabilize the sector. Samuel Caulcrick, former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, suggested creating a dedicated aviation development bank to provide low-cost capital to operators. Alex Nwuba, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, said the limited fleet and high seasonal demand will inevitably push fares up, while also increasing the risk of delays and cancellations.
Travelers are therefore advised to plan early, remain flexible, and prepare for operational stress during the festive season. Seyi Adewale, CEO of Mainstream Cargo Limited, warned that the confluence of scarce aircraft, high demand, and seasonal travel needs could lead to missed events, delays, and additional pressure on road transport networks, which may face overcrowding and higher prices.