Major domestic airlines in Nigeria, including Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines, have increased their ticket fares beyond N200,000 for several domestic routes as the aviation industry battles soaring fuel costs and rising operational expenses.
Airlines Push Fares Above N200,000
Checks across booking platforms show that fares on major routes linking Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Kano, Enugu, Asaba, and Uyo have recorded sharp increases over the past four months. A one-way economy ticket from Lagos to Owerri, which averaged around N150,000 in January, now costs about N202,000 on Air Peace and over N208,000 on United Nigeria Airlines.
The Lagos to Port Harcourt route has witnessed a similar jump. Tickets that previously sold between N120,000 and N150,000 now go for over N201,000 on Air Peace and about N208,000 on United Nigeria Airlines.
On the heavily travelled Lagos–Abuja route, fares have also crossed the N200,000 mark on some carriers. Air Peace currently lists tickets at about N201,900, while United Nigeria Airlines charges around N208,145. However, some operators, including Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Rano Air, have maintained comparatively lower fares on select routes, with ticket prices still hovering between N125,000 and N148,000.
The Enugu Route Emerges as the Most Expensive
Among the most affected routes is Lagos to Enugu, where fares have surged dramatically. United Nigeria Airlines now charges over N208,000 for economy class, while Air Peace lists fares above N221,000. Ibom Air’s fares on the same route have climbed as high as N340,000, making it one of the costliest domestic flights in the country.
Similarly, Lagos to Kano tickets on Air Peace have risen from an average of N140,000 earlier in the year to more than N201,000. Industry operators say the hikes are directly tied to the persistent increase in the price of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1.
Jet Fuel Prices Continue to Squeeze Airlines
Despite recent interventions aimed at easing pressure on the aviation sector, Jet A1 prices remain extremely high. Market checks show that aviation fuel still sells for between N1,900 and N2,000 per litre, even after supply efforts by the Dangote Refinery.
According to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), aviation fuel prices surged by more than 266 per cent within two months, rising from about N900 per litre to as high as N3,300 before recent adjustments. The development had pushed airline operators to threaten a nationwide shutdown earlier this year over mounting operational costs.
Government Intervention Is Yet to Deliver Relief
In response to the crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a 30 per cent reduction on outstanding statutory debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies. The intervention, announced by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, was designed to reduce pressure on struggling carriers and prevent disruptions to flight operations, according to a report by BusinessDay.
However, economic experts and industry stakeholders insist the relief package is only a temporary solution. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) warned that airlines remain trapped in a “hostile” operating environment driven by excessive charges and rising costs.
Airlines Face Mounting Financial Pressure
CPPE Chief Executive Officer Muda Yusuf noted that multiple charges imposed by aviation agencies now consume as much as 35 per cent of airlines' revenues. These costs include passenger service charges, landing fees, parking fees, aircraft inspection charges, administrative levies, boarding bridge fees, and import duties on aircraft spare parts.
According to Yusuf, the combination of high fuel prices, multiple taxation, and foreign exchange pressures is making survival increasingly difficult for domestic carriers. With airlines continuing to battle rising costs, passengers may have to brace for even higher ticket prices in the months ahead unless fuel prices ease significantly or broader reforms are introduced across the aviation sector.
Ibom Air Warns of Reduced Flight Operations
Legit.ng earlier reported that Ibom Air has warned it may reduce flight operations in the coming days as surging aviation fuel costs push airline finances to the brink. In a statement issued on April 27, 2026, and signed by Aniekan Essienette, Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, the airline described the situation as an “unprecedented crisis” threatening the sustainability of domestic carriers.
The airline said the cost of fuelling a single flight has risen sharply from about N2.1 million in January to approximately N7.6 million as of April 26, representing a 350% increase in just seven weeks, BusinessDay reports.
