Passengers Groan Over 100% Rise In Air Fares

This is not the best of time for air passengers on domestic
flights as they have to contend with high fares.

It was learnt on Monday that fares on major local routes had
gone up by as much as 100 per cent.

A review showed that carriers now offer as much as N95, 000 on a
one-way ticket between Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt
and Benin routes, among others.

Aviation analysts said the hike was due to rising insecurity in
the country, with bandits forcing travelers to abandon the highways
for the airports.

Besides, they noted that the limited number of aircraft in the
fleet of airlines had pushed up demands for available seats, hence
the increase of air tickets.

Records show that flights in the early hours were higher than
fares for the afternoon, evening and night flights.

On routes in the northern part of the country, the absence of
one of the major players – AZMAN Air – has also reduced the number
of carriers and aircraft on the routes.

Relatively, the fares are lower on the southeastern routes, due
to the large number of carriers, including Arik Air, Aero
Contractors, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace, DANA Air
and other carriers.

A passenger, who identified himself as Abdul Biodun, said the
Abuja – Lagos flight now attracts about N100, 000.

“That means things are getting really bad, “Biodun said.

Another passenger and industry analyst, Mr. Olumide Ayo said the
ending traffic gridlock on the Abuja – Lokoja corridor is enough to
push people out of the road and embrace air travel.

Officials of airlines said there was nothing unusual about the
current air fare regime because it was becoming increasingly
expensive run airline business.

They cited hurdles in getting foreign exchange and the
prohibitive costs of repairing aircraft overseas.

Also speaking, an industry analyst, Mr. Tayo Ojuri, belives the
entrance of more carriers will force down fares.

Meanwhile, the fare structure may be altered in the days ahead
as the commencement of Ramadan fasting may lead to shrink on
passenger traffic on some routes.

This is not the best of time for air passengers on domestic
flights as they have to contend with high fares.

It was learnt on Monday that fares on major local routes had
gone up by as much as 100 per cent.

A review showed that carriers now offer as much as N95, 000 on a
one-way ticket between Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt
and Benin routes, among others.

Aviation analysts said the hike was due to rising insecurity in
the country, with bandits forcing travelers to abandon the highways
for the airports.

Besides, they noted that the limited number of aircraft in the
fleet of airlines had pushed up demands for available seats, hence
the increase of air tickets.

Records show that flights in the early hours were higher than
fares for the afternoon, evening and night flights.

On routes in the northern part of the country, the absence of
one of the major players – AZMAN Air – has also reduced the number
of carriers and aircraft on the routes.

Relatively, the fares are lower on the southeastern routes, due
to the large number of carriers, including Arik Air, Aero
Contractors, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace, DANA Air
and other carriers.

A passenger, who identified himself as Abdul Biodun, said the
Abuja – Lagos flight now attracts about N100, 000.

“That means things are getting really bad, “Biodun said.

Another passenger and industry analyst, Mr. Olumide Ayo said the
ending traffic gridlock on the Abuja – Lokoja corridor is enough to
push people out of the road and embrace air travel.

Officials of airlines said there was nothing unusual about the
current air fare regime because it was becoming increasingly
expensive run airline business.

They cited hurdles in getting foreign exchange and the
prohibitive costs of repairing aircraft overseas.

Also speaking, an industry analyst, Mr. Tayo Ojuri, belives the
entrance of more carriers will force down fares.

Meanwhile, the fare structure may be altered in the days ahead
as the commencement of Ramadan fasting may lead to shrink on
passenger traffic on some routes.