The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside the NCAA, FAAN, and airline operators, following an unprecedented spike in domestic airfares ahead of the Christmas travel season. Lawmakers say ticket prices on key routes have surged from about ₦120,000 earlier in the year to between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, with some senators calling the increase exploitative and unaffordable for the average traveller.
The summons followed a motion by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, who warned that the steep rise in fares was causing hardship for millions of Nigerians at a time when road travel is already difficult. Several senators echoed his concerns, citing fares such as ₦500,000 on the Abuja–Enugu route—an amount they say equates to several months of minimum wage. While most lawmakers demanded urgent intervention, some—including Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu—argued that the motion overlooked the financial challenges facing airlines.
Airlines and industry groups attribute the price surge to multiple cost pressures, including a new NCAA charge, escalating maintenance and spare-part expenses, higher fuel prices, a weakened naira, and additional taxes and fees. The NCAA recently introduced an extra $11.50 per international ticket under the APIS security levy, adding further burden to travellers.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the government has begun engaging airlines to understand their challenges but emphasized that the sector is deregulated and the government cannot impose fare caps. He noted that encouraging competition remains the most viable path to lowering prices.
The Senate committee is expected to interrogate operators, regulators, and the ministry in the coming days to examine the causes of the airfare escalation, assess regulatory gaps, and identify measures to stabilize the aviation sector before the festive rush.
