The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the average fare for domestic air travel in Nigeria increased to N157,355.87 in April 2026. This represents a 0.08% rise compared to the previous month of March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the fare surged by 20.82% from N130,243.90 recorded in April 2025. The data was released in the NBS transport fare watch report on June 1, 2026.
Regional Variations in Airfares
Kano State recorded the highest air transport charges for specified single-route journeys at N183,835.21, followed closely by Lagos State at N176,659.49. On the other hand, Gombe State had the lowest fare at N135,650.75, with Nasarawa State following at N138,880.14.
Regionally, the South-South zone posted the highest average fare at N163,349.92, while the North-West recorded N160,526.32. The North-East zone had the lowest average fare at N151,938.57.
Top 10 Highest Airfares (Single Journey)
- Kano – N183,835.21
- Lagos – N176,659.49
- Rivers – N175,506.92
- Ogun – N173,087.92
- Katsina – N169,854.25
- Cross River – N169,500.14
- Zamfara – N168,000.87
- Taraba – N167,756.93
- Abia – N167,450.46
- Oyo – N166,531.54
Top 10 Lowest Airfares (Single Journey)
- Gombe – N135,650.75
- Nasarawa – N138,880.14
- Bauchi – N142,096.98
- Ebonyi – N144,805.77
- Borno – N146,450.35
- Kaduna – N146,894.76
- Edo – N147,200.50
- Enugu – N147,458.66
- Jigawa – N147,560.40
- Osun – N147,865.52
Airlines Ground Large Aircraft
Due to soaring jet fuel prices and scarcity, Nigerian airlines have been compelled to make a major operational shift. They are grounding large, fuel-intensive jets and switching to smaller, more fuel-efficient regional aircraft. The price of aviation fuel has skyrocketed nearly fourfold, from under N900 per litre at the end of 2023 to between N2,200 and N3,300 per litre in 2026. This domestic surge mirrors a global crisis, with jet fuel prices jumping over 100% to more than $200 per barrel. These changes have left operators with no choice but to increase airfares.
Dangote Refinery Reduces Jet Fuel Price
Recently, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals reduced the ex-depot price of aviation fuel. However, airlines and operators are still paying significantly high prices for Jet A1 across the country. Checks show that aviation fuel is currently selling for between N1,900 and N2,000 per litre in major cities, even after the refinery announced a cut in its gantry price from N1,750 to N1,650 per litre. This development has raised concerns among airline operators and industry stakeholders who expected the reduction to ease operational costs and eventually lower airfares.
