Domestic airline operators in Nigeria have increased base airfares by more than 100% after a meeting in Lagos, Vanguard reported.
The increase will take effective from March 1 across board, according to the report.
However, a check at some airlines’ website showed that the increase is already in effect. Air Peace has pegged Lagos to Port Harcourt flight at N50,000 for economy ticket from 21 February, while Arik is at N50,950 from 22 February..
Previously, Air Peace flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt can go as low as N22,500.
Source: Air Peace booking website
Green Africa sells its Owerri to Abuja flight tickets for 23rd February at ₦35,000 against N16,500 previously, while Air Peace Lagos to Abuja flight tickets sells at ₦50,000. Similarly.
Recall that Airline Operators of Nigeria in statement recently expressed worry over the rising cost of aviation fuel and the unavailability of forex.
They said: ”aviation fuel cost above N410 in Lagos, N422 in Abuja and Port Harcourt, and N429 in Kano per litre, while the dollar, which sells for between N580 to N600 is in short supply.”
As at the time of filing this report, the civil aviation regulatory authority, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has not issued any statement on the new fares. A source within the authority however said told Vanguard that airfares have since be ”deregulated by NCAA, leaving market forces to determine price.”
”NCAA only intervene when an airline fixes ridiculously low airfares. That can compromise safety standard as operations of any airline is capital intensive,” he said.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
