Air Peace has announced an increase in its ticket prices for the Lagos-Abuja route, with fares rising to N200,000 starting in November. The airline cited rising operational costs as the reason for this adjustment. Passengers are advised to book their tickets in advance to secure the best prices before the fare hike takes effect.
Starting November 1, 2024, a one-way flight ticket from Lagos to Abuja on Air Peace will rise to N200,000. The ongoing harsh economic conditions have significantly impacted the aviation sector, prompting airlines to raise their fares, leading to complaints from passengers. As a result, some Nigerians are opting for road transport instead of flights.
Recent checks by our correspondent revealed that Air Peace’s new fare of N200,000 is the highest among domestic airlines, reflecting the increasing costs within the industry.
While Air Peace lists one-way tickets between Lagos and Abuja at N200,000 and above, other airlines are offering lower fares: Aero charges between N94,000 and over N109,000, Arik Air’s prices range from N104,405 to N139,292, and Ibom Air offers tickets from N124,000 to over N133,000.
The surge in airfares has resulted in many passengers being stranded at airports, unable to secure flights to their destinations. The busiest routes, particularly Lagos-Abuja and Abuja-Lagos, have been significantly affected, making it challenging for travelers to find available seats.
An unnamed official from Air Peace confirmed the fare increase, linking it to Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges. She stated, “If you buy a ticket and see the breakdown, you will discover that we are bleeding as an aviation company, and 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.”