Senate Questions Aviation Ministry as Surge in Domestic Airfares Sparks National Outcry
The Senate has issued a formal summons to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, following widespread public outrage over the unprecedented escalation in local flight ticket prices across major routes in the country.
The legislative chamber reached the decision during Tuesday’s plenary after debating a motion highlighting the economic and security implications of what many Nigerians have described as an unbearable surge in domestic airfares.
The motion, moved by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, warned that the sharp rise in ticket prices could cripple holiday travel ahead of the approaching festive season.
According to him, the situation has already triggered anxiety among citizens who rely on air transportation, especially given the insecurity on several federal highways.
Recent checks by ireport247news.com and other credible platforms reveal that a one-way flight to certain South-South and South-East destinations now sells for as high as N300,000—a staggering 150 percent increase from previous rates.
Prior to the festive rush, domestic flight tickets averaged around N120,000, but updated fare listings on airline portals showed that prices to regions such as Port Harcourt, Asaba, Enugu, and Uyo have risen sharply in the past week.
During deliberations, Senator Buhari described the new pricing regime as alarming, noting that the Abuja to Lagos flight—one of the busiest domestic routes—now ranges between N400,000 and N600,000.
He stressed that the development has priced out many travellers, especially those who depend on air travel to conduct business or reconnect with family during the holidays.
He added that the prevailing insecurity on the roads makes the spike in airfares even more troubling.
“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate these issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” he said.
Lawmakers Condemn Price Hikes, Demand Urgent Intervention
Several senators echoed the concerns raised in the motion, describing the hike as both insensitive and economically destabilising.
Senator Adamu Aliero labelled the fare increase unacceptable, insisting that the aviation sector must prioritise affordability and national mobility.
He argued that the failure to regulate or provide relief measures could exacerbate economic hardship for already struggling citizens.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi went further, criticising what he called a “400 per cent increase” in some routes.
He decried the persistent delays in establishing a national carrier, which he believes would have introduced healthy competition and prevented private airline operators from imposing significant price increases on passengers.
He urged Minister Keyamo to take decisive steps to stabilise the industry, saying,
“The aviation sector cannot remain an exclusive preserve for only the wealthy. Government intervention is urgently needed.”
Senator Solomon Olamilekan recalled that the Federal Government had previously supported airline operators with several concessions, including waivers on spare parts.
He stressed that despite these benefits, operators continue to impose high charges, insisting that the legislature must hold them accountable.
However, not all lawmakers agreed on the cause of the price escalation.
Senator Orji Kalu attempted to justify the fare hike, attributing the increases to rising operational costs, foreign exchange challenges, and the price of aircraft maintenance.
His explanation generated immediate resistance from several senators who argued that while operational costs have indeed risen, the price increments were disproportionately high and lacked transparency.
Senate Summons Aviation Minister and Airline Stakeholders
Following extensive debate, the Senate resolved to summon the Minister of Aviation, airline operators, regulatory authorities, and other key stakeholders in the aviation value chain.
The Senate directed the Committee on Aviation to facilitate the meeting immediately, urging all parties to provide explanations for the surge in domestic airfares and recommendations on how to stabilise prices before peak holiday travel.
Lawmakers insisted that the outcome of the meeting would guide further legislative actions, including possible directives to the aviation regulatory bodies to review pricing structures and enforce compliance with consumer protection standards.
The Senate also hinted at the possibility of exploring long-term structural reforms, including strengthening the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s oversight functions, evaluating the impact of foreign exchange volatility on aviation pricing, and revisiting the stalled national carrier project.
Public Reactions and Wider Implications
The surge in ticket prices has elicited mixed reactions from industry analysts and travellers.
While some attribute the rise to global aviation cost pressures and Nigeria’s challenging economic environment, many argue that the increases are excessive and unregulated.
Travel agencies have reported a drop in passenger bookings on several routes, with many Nigerians opting for road transport despite ongoing security concerns.
Stakeholders warn that the situation, if left unchecked, could shrink the domestic aviation market and discourage economic mobility at a critical time of the year.
As Nigerians await the outcome of the Senate’s intervention, many hope that the engagement with the aviation minister will lead to relief measures, improved pricing transparency, and a more sustainable framework for domestic air travel.
