As the festive season approaches, the cost of air travel to Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions has skyrocketed, with ticket prices more than doubling in many cases. This sharp increase in airfare is putting a financial strain on travelers, many of whom are reconsidering their holiday plans.
Airfare Hikes: A Seasonal Trend Exacerbated
Typically, the demand for flights during the yuletide season causes a hike in ticket prices. However, this year’s economic challenges have driven fares to unprecedented levels. For instance:
A one-way ticket from Lagos to Asaba on Air Peace has jumped from ₦97,400 on December 5 to ₦287,800 by December 18.
Flights from Abuja to Benin have surged from ₦95,000 to ₦285,800 during the same period.
Tickets for Lagos to Port Harcourt and Abuja to Port Harcourt, which cost ₦95,400 earlier in December, now sell for ₦285,800 from December 19 onward.
Similar trends have been observed across other routes, including flights to Owerri, Enugu, and Anambra, where prices have climbed to as high as ₦381,100 in some cases.
Responses from Passengers
Faced with such steep prices, many travelers have expressed frustration. Mrs. Nkechi Joshua, a mother of four, shared her decision to forgo the trip to Owerri, citing unaffordable costs. “I can’t spend over ₦280,000 per ticket just to travel home. It’s better to stay in Lagos and save for essentials like food,” she remarked.
Another traveler, Mr. Chukwuma Obiagazie, called on the government to regulate airfares, lamenting the financial burden the situation places on families.
Affordable Options and Road Travel Alternatives
Amid these price hikes, Aero Contractors has taken a different approach, slashing its fares to an average of ₦80,000 as a gesture of goodwill during challenging times. The airline announced that this reduction applies to all its destinations, including major cities like Lagos, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, road travel remains a viable, albeit less convenient, option for many. Transport fares from Abuja to destinations like Aba, Onitsha, and Enugu range between ₦9,000 and ₦25,000, depending on the route and the operator.
Transport companies like Peace Mass Transit have kept fares relatively stable, though operators anticipate price increases as the holidays draw closer. A driver, Zion Akpan, noted that fluctuations in fuel prices might push fares higher.
Weighing the Options
With airfares at record highs and road travel posing its own challenges, many Nigerians are left to navigate tough decisions this holiday season. While some opt to travel earlier to avoid the rush, others choose to stay back, prioritizing safety and financial stability.
As the festive season unfolds, travelers hope for interventions to ease the financial burden, ensuring that the joy of the season is not overshadowed by economic challenges.
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