Airline operators in Nigeria have refuted claims that exorbitant airfares are responsible for the current decrease in air travel across the country.
According to industry insiders, the decline in air travel is attributed to the industry’s typical low season and not the fares’ cost.
Online fare confirmations on Saturday showed varying prices for a flight from Lagos to Abuja with different airlines.
Arik Air charged N132,976, Ibom Air priced at N150,000, United Nigeria Airlines at N142,500, Aero Contractors at N196,548, Air Peace at N143,000, Max Airline at N78,000, and Dana Airlines at N99,000.
Achilleus Uchegbu, the Head of Corporate Communications at United Nigeria Airlines, mentioned that ticket prices only partially influence passenger turnout, and one cannot talk about low capacity when people choose to travel based on their preferences.
He highlighted that fluctuating airfares are often tied to unstable foreign exchange rates.
Adebanji Ola, the Head of Corporate Communications at Arik Air, stated that the current low season in the industry is a regular occurrence and is not unusual.
He suggested a more accurate passenger turnout assessment could be made around April or May.
Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, a senior official of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., which operates Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two in Ikeja, emphasized that the airport is full, and terminal operations are running smoothly.
She also mentioned that air travel tends to reduce during the Christian Lenten season and Islamic Ramadan fasting.
While acknowledging that airfares may be subject to exchange rate fluctuations, an Abuja-bound air traveller, Mr Doma Doma, expressed understanding of airlines needing to review their rates accordingly.
