Nigeria’s aviation sector is increasingly defined by a stark divergence between international and domestic travel patterns. While international terminals are experiencing sustained growth, domestic passenger volumes are shrinking at an alarming pace, reshaping the structure of air travel demand in the country.
Between 2022 and 2024, international passenger traffic grew from 3.75 million to 4.33 million, reflecting strong outbound demand despite economic headwinds, currency depreciation, and visa constraints. This growth has been concentrated largely in Lagos and Abuja, driven by migration, business travel, regional trade, and increased foreign airline capacity into Nigeria.
In contrast, domestic travel has steadily weakened. Passenger movements dropped from 14.52 million in 2022 to 12.54 million in 2024. The decline has been consistent year-on-year, pointing to structural challenges rather than temporary disruption. Abuja and Lagos, traditionally the strongest domestic hubs, both recorded declines, while only a handful of regional airports such as Owerri and Enugu showed marginal gains.
Affordability has emerged as a key driver of this divergence. Research published in 2025 by the President of the Aircraft Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr Alex, ranked Nigeria as the least affordable domestic aviation market globally when adjusted for wages and purchasing power parity. With an average domestic airfare of ₦131,667 and an average monthly wage of just $175, Nigeria recorded the highest Real Cost of Flying Index among 20 countries studied.
This means that while domestic airfares in nominal dollar terms appear comparable to markets such as South Africa, Kenya, or Brazil, Nigerian travellers bear a significantly heavier financial burden relative to income. Fuel surcharges, FX volatility, taxes, and operational inefficiencies have combined to push local flight prices beyond the reach of the middle class.
International travel, by contrast, has been sustained by a smaller but more financially resilient segment of the population. Analysts note that outbound travel is increasingly driven by higher-income Nigerians, corporate travellers, and cross-border trade activity. Foreign airlines, with stronger balance sheets and access to foreign currency, have been better positioned to serve this demand than local carriers.
The widening gap between domestic and international travel highlights a fundamental imbalance in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. Without targeted reforms to reduce operating costs and stimulate domestic demand, the local market risks further contraction, even as international traffic continues to grow.
