By Erewunmi Peace

Ahead of the festive season, domestic airfares to Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions have skyrocketed, sparking widespread outrage among travelers.

Investigations reveal that some airlines have increased fares by as much as 131% on popular routes, with tickets for Lagos–Asaba flights rising from about ₦147,000 to ₦337,500. Similar hikes were recorded on routes such as Lagos–Enugu, Lagos–Benin, and Abuja–Benin, where fares have more than doubled compared to previous months.

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading carriers, is among airlines adjusting their pricing for the December rush, attributing the surge to peak season demand, high operational costs, and imbalanced passenger traffic, as flights to the South-East and South-South often return half-empty.

Industry experts also cite rising aviation fuel prices, aircraft maintenance expenses, and wet-lease costs as key factors contributing to the price hike.

Travelers have expressed frustration over the development, describing the increases as exploitative. Many fear that the surge will worsen the economic burden on families planning to travel home for the holidays.

Meanwhile, aviation stakeholders are calling on the government to implement fare regulation policies to protect consumers during festive periods.