Starting November 1, 2024, Air Peace will charge a staggering N200,000 for a one-way flight from Lagos to Abuja, making it the highest fare among domestic airlines.
The steep increase is a direct response to Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, which have severely impacted the aviation industry.
Airlines across the country have been forced to raise fares, leaving many passengers to switch from air travel to road transport.
A review of airfares on Monday revealed that while Air Peace is set to charge N200,000 and above, Aero is offering tickets between N94,000 and N109,000.
Arik Air’s fares range from N104,405 to N139,292, and Ibom Air is charging between N124,000 and N133,000.
The price surge has led to passengers being stranded at airports, especially on the busy Lagos-Abuja and Abuja-Lagos routes, where securing a seat has become a challenge.
An Air Peace official, speaking anonymously to The Punch, confirmed the fare increase, attributing it to the economic crisis.
“If you buy a ticket and see the breakdown, you will discover that we are bleeding as an aviation company and even the prices of running the business are almost getting out of control. Just as we all know, all these killing taxes go to the government, and businesses especially airlines have been left with no choice other than to do this, it is what it is.”
Efforts to reach Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Toyin Olajide, for comments were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.
Businessman Adeleke Aina, a frequent flier, expressed his frustration, saying, “With the rates at which airfares are skyrocketing by the day without any clear explanation other than economy this, economy that, I will be left with no other option than take road transport as my new means of movement. This is killing everything, fuel has turned into what it is and the Federal seems unconcerned with this abnormality. I fear for this country.”
