Domestic Airlines Hike South-East, South-South Fares by 131% Ahead of Yuletide 2025

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, domestic airlines in Nigeria raised airfares to South-East and South-South regions by 131% ahead of the Yuletide season starting December 1, 2025, driven by high demand, as reported by Vanguard and Businessday.ng. Air Peace increased one-way economy tickets from Lagos to Asaba (Delta State) from ₦147,000 to ₦337,500, and from Lagos to Enugu and Benin (Edo State) from ₦145,000 to ₦335,500, with Abuja–Benin fares rising similarly. United Nigeria Airlines hiked fares from Lagos to Enugu, Owerri, and Asaba from ₦125,500 to ₦335,500 starting December 11, while Ibom Air’s Lagos–Uyo fare remained at ₦190,800, up from ₦152,700 (Legit.ng). The increases, effective through January 30, 2026, for Air Peace and December for United Nigeria, reflect seasonal demand, per AllAfrica.com.

Passengers expressed frustration, with Michael Onwusa considering road travel to Imo despite 6,000 abductions reported in 2024 (ACLED), and Tina Ikwuogu contemplating borrowing to afford Enugu flights (Vanguard). AON trustee Roland Iyayi attributed the hikes to one-way traffic patterns, requiring fares to cover round-trip costs, akin to charter pricing (Vanguard). AON Vice Chairman Allen Onyema cited aviation fuel costs (₦1,050–₦1,100/liter) and operational expenses, with a Boeing 777 burning ₦5 million hourly on Lagos–Abuja routes (AllAfrica.com). X posts from @Vanguardngrnews (August 24, 2025) highlighted public anger, while @Naija_Activist noted 62% of Nigerians find air travel unaffordable (NOI Polls, 2025), amid a 38.9% inflation rate (NBS, 2024).