The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, along with major aviation stakeholders, for an urgent meeting following growing public outrage over the sharp increase in domestic airfares.
The decision followed a motion raised by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who warned that the escalating prices threaten national mobility and could severely impact travel ahead of the festive period.
Recent checks revealed that one way airfares on several domestic routes, especially in the South South and South East regions, have surged by about 150 percent, with some now exceeding N300,000.
Before the festive rush, ticket prices on many local routes averaged around N120,000. But an analysis of airline booking platforms last Tuesday showed significant spikes, particularly for flights heading to the South South and South East, where fares have climbed by roughly 150 percent compared to earlier months.
During the Senate debate, Senator Buhari drew attention to complaints from Nigerians, noting that a one way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now falls between N400,000 and N600,000, a cost he described as unaffordable for most citizens.
He also stressed that the situation is especially concerning given the rising insecurity and challenges associated with major highways.
“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.
Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments. Senator Adamu Aliero labelled the fare hike unacceptable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi condemned what he described as a “400 percent increase” and criticised the delay in establishing a national carrier. He urged Minister Keyamo to act decisively.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan noted that airline operators have already received significant concessions, particularly on spare parts, and should therefore be held accountable for the current price surge.
However, Senator Orji Kalu attempted to justify the increases, citing rising operational expenses and the high cost of spare parts. His explanation was sharply rejected by several senators.
The Senate concluded by directing Minister Keyamo, airline operators, regulators, and key aviation stakeholders to appear before the relevant committees this week to address the fare escalation and propose measures to stabilise prices as the holiday travel season approaches.
