Air travel in Nigeria is yet to bounce back to the level it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly because many Nigerians are still facing financial pressure. With rising airfares and the general increase in the cost of living, a lot of people are finding it hard to afford flight tickets, causing a drop in the number of passengers travelling by air.
The Nigerian aviation sector is still trying to recover from the economic blow it suffered during the COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions. Even though those restrictions have been lifted for a long time, the sector has not fully bounced back. Many Nigerians who used to travel by air have now shifted to other means of transport or cancelled their travel plans altogether due to high costs.
Industry analysts say that several factors are behind the rising airfares. First, the operational costs for airlines have increased significantly. The price of aviation fuel is high, and airlines also spend more on maintenance and other services. These costs are often transferred to passengers in the form of higher ticket prices.
Another problem facing the airlines is the falling value of the naira. As the naira continues to depreciate against the dollar and other foreign currencies, it becomes more expensive for Nigerian airlines to buy aircraft parts, pay for maintenance, or even lease planes from abroad. This situation adds more financial pressure on the airline companies.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that passenger traffic across the country’s airports has gone down. Speaking on the issue, FAAN said the agency is looking at ways to support the aviation sector. Some of the possible solutions include giving subsidies to airlines, upgrading airport infrastructure, and bringing in private investors to help improve airport operations and service quality.
Industry experts believe that with proper support and economic stability, the aviation sector can recover. However, they say it will require serious collaboration between government agencies, airline operators, and other stakeholders. They stress that government policy should be focused on reducing operational burdens for airlines and making air travel more affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
In the meantime, some airlines are trying to reduce their flight frequencies or suspend certain routes to cut costs. Passengers who used to fly frequently are now more selective or prefer cheaper transport options, like road travel, even if it takes longer. Business travellers are also reducing trips or using online meetings instead.
Despite the current setbacks, there is hope that things can improve if the right policies are put in place. Improved access to foreign exchange, reduced taxes on aviation services, and stable fuel prices could help reduce ticket prices and encourage more people to fly again.
As Nigeria continues to work toward economic recovery, the aviation industry remains a key sector that can contribute to growth and job creation. But to reach that potential, it will need urgent attention and support from all sides.
