The House of Representatives has decried the recent increase in airfares during festive season, saying that weight of economic hardship is making travel increasingly unattainable for ordinary Nigerians
The House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the sharp increase in airfares during the yuletide period, warning that the trend carries security implications for millions of Nigerians who rely on air travel during the festive season.
In response, the lawmakers urged the Federal Government to ease the financial burden on airline operators by cutting airport charges by 50 per cent during the festivities. The House also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to prioritise the allocation of foreign exchange to airlines at concessionary rates.
Additionally, the Committee on Aviation was mandated to engage with airline operators and relevant government agencies and report back within seven days for further legislative action.
These resolutions followed amendments to a motion of urgent public importance titled: “The Exorbitant Rise of Airline Ticket Cost and the Consequential Impact on Security of Lives, Air Ambulance Cost”, sponsored by Rep. Obinna Aguocha (LP, Abia).
Moving the motion, Rep. Aguocha lamented that the Christmas season—traditionally a period of reunion and joy—now hangs under the weight of economic hardship, making travel increasingly unattainable for many Nigerians.
He warned that soaring domestic ticket prices are preventing people from returning to their ancestral homes, where family bonds and emotional wellbeing are renewed.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by airline operators, including high Jet A1 fuel costs and severe currency fluctuations, but urged a balance between profitability and national values.
According to him, “The insatiable pursuit of profit should not come at the expense of the cultural bonds that define us as Nigerians.
“By temporarily reducing fares during this critical period, it would demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and national solidarity. Such an act would reaffirm to all citizens that the journey home is a fundamental right, accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of financial status.
“The unprecedented rise in air travel costs is not a mere anomaly in the market. It poses a direct threat to the traditions that unite our society during this cherished festive season.”
During the debate, several lawmakers expressed mixed reactions.
Rep. Okolie Lawrence criticised the recurrent disregard of House motions by relevant ministries and advocated road infrastructure repairs as a long-term solution.
He said, “the issue of increasing air ticket is becoming very alarming but also shocking is that most times when we raise motions here the ministries deem it unnecessary to even carry out the motions we raise… if our roads are fixed very well, fewer people would fly… I also pray that our roads should be fixed so that more people will travel by road.”
Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda rejected calls for subsidies, urging the House to confront deeper structural problems.
He said, “I don’t completely agree with the prayers that subsidies should be provided. Why are we experiencing this?… we expect that in a few weeks passengers are likely to pay up to 500,000 Naira for a seat. The pressure on the airline is massive. And we do not have enough airlines.
“Where is our Nigerian Airways? Talking about palliative, we will be pampering the problem… Aside that… the roads are not safe… Somebody who earns 150,000 Naira will want to fly because he doesn’t want to die… So we should also be talking about safety on the roads. These are the multi-faceted faces of insecurity and the effect on the economy.”
Rep. Ahmad Aluko, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, argued that the latest fare spikes were unjustifiable given stable fuel prices.
According to him, “What the airline’s operators in Nigeria have done in the past 12 hours is completely uncalled for. Airline operators should be called to order. They should not lead in this direction.”
Rep. Anwalu Gwalabe raised concerns over aviation levies, saying: “a trip of 30 minutes is more costly than even a trip for two hours, they talk about various levies, about 70 percent of all consumed airfare is as a result of levies, if the investigation could include what are those levies and why the question was 70 percent of airfare.”
Rep. Gaza Jonathan urged a balanced perspective, noting the high cost of imports and maintenance required for aircraft.
He said, “Most of them are imported. If an aircraft is a hundred-seater, and only five people buy tickets, it is expected that that plane will fly. How does the operator cover his costs? So we must always weigh it properly.”
Rep. Bappe Missau highlighted operational challenges caused by hazy weather and incomplete radar coverage, saying these force aircraft to burn more fuel and incur higher landing and parking charges.
He said airlines should not be compelled to “add cost every day” due to regulatory inefficiencies.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, while speaking to journalists after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, defended the Federal Government amid rising public anger over airfare prices.
He stressed that the sector has been deregulated since the Babangida era, leaving the government with “no legal powers” to set ticket prices.
According to Keyamo, only increased competition can drive fares down.
He said, “The industries had long been deregulated, the government has no power to fix the market for private enterprise. The only thing that can drive prices down in a free economy is competition, In the next few months, we will have more aircraft and force down the prices by pure competition.”
