Following the sustained high cost of aviation fuel, Nigerian airlines have increased airfares to N200,000 and above for one-hour one-way flights, effectively pricing air travel out of the reach of most Nigerians who were hitherto able to afford it.
This comes following the latest increase in aviation fuel prices, which now sells for between N1,750 and N2,650 per litre.
Recall that operators under the umbrella of the Airline Operators of Nigeria had repeatedly warned that the soaring cost of Jet A1 was becoming unsustainable, noting that while global crude prices recorded moderate increases of about 30 per cent, aviation fuel prices in Nigeria surged far beyond that margin.
The operators said they had continued to absorb the rising costs over the past four weeks to sustain flight operations nationwide, despite worsening financial strain and persistent foreign exchange challenges.
Recently, Ibom Air raised fresh alarm over the deepening crisis, revealing that it now spends about N7.6m to fuel a single flight.
Failed promises
Although the airlines had taken the matter to the Federal Government, operators stated that the current high cost of aviation fuel is not sustainable.
Meanwhile, The PUNCH gathered that promises made to the operators have yet to be fulfilled by the Federal Government, more than three weeks later.
In a related development, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reduced the aviation fuel price, a development that received the commendation of airline operators. But the latest increase in airfares is coming barely 24 hours after the refinery reduced aviation fuel prices.
New Prices
On the website of Ibom Air, our correspondent, who has been monitoring prices since the Jet A1 price began to rise, observed that a one-way trip between Lagos and Abuja cost N143,200 as of Wednesday, but it has been pegged at N200,300 from Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Also on the same website, from Thursday, Lagos-Port Harcourt flights will cost N181,300, with indications that another increase may occur in a few days.
For United Nigeria, effective Wednesday, May 20, an Abuja-Lagos flight costs N231,000, while Lagos-Abuja is pegged at N200,000 per trip. Air Peace has also pegged its fares at N192,600 for a one-way trip between Lagos and Abuja.
Meanwhile, Aero Contractors and ValueJet appeared to have retained their prices as of the time of filing this report. Aero Contractors still had ticket fares ranging between N123,127 and N146,702 for selected routes, while ValueJet fares stood between N118,571 and N132,857 for flights from Lagos to Abuja.
A source in one of the airlines that increased its prices, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the fare increase became inevitable as operators battled rising operational costs caused by fuel prices and charges, as well as dwindling cash flow.
He said the carriers made the decision after extensive consultations and careful consideration of prevailing economic realities. “We have adjusted our minimum fares to N200,000 per flight, irrespective of the route. This is something we have done with a lot of pain and after serious consideration of many factors.
“We cannot continue to subsidise travellers with the current situation of Jet A1. Without the adjustment, there will be a serious crisis in the industry. Cash flows have run out, and debts are mounting. It is a painful decision, but we cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand.”
