Senators Lament Over Surge In Domestic Airfares As Senate Summons Aviation Minister

The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside key industry stakeholders, for an urgent meeting following widespread public concern over the sharp rise in domestic airfares.

During the plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers lamented that ticket prices on major routes—including Abuja–Lagos, Abuja–Enugu, and Abuja–Ilorin—had surged to between ₦400,000 and ₦650,000, a range many Nigerians can no longer afford.

Presenting the motion, chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), revealed that preliminary investigations indicated a growing number of Nigerians were unable to travel due to the drastic fare hikes.

“Mr. President, from Abuja to Lagos is now between 400,000 and 650,000 naira. Abuja to Enugu is about 500,000. Even Abuja to Ilorin is around 450,000,” he told fellow lawmakers.

He noted that with Christmas fast approaching, it had become necessary for the Senate to intervene to ease the financial burden on citizens.

The committee disclosed that while it had begun informal engagements with airline operators, no formal meeting had yet been held. It, therefore, urged the Senate to summon all major aviation stakeholders—including airline owners and regulatory agencies—to explain the fare increase and propose immediate relief measures.

Senator Peter Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) added that a flight which previously cost ₦150,000 to Enugu had jumped to ₦500,000, while another ticket from Lagos to Abuja was purchased at ₦560,000.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan noted that airline operators had already received multiple concessions, particularly on spare parts, and should therefore be held accountable for the current price surge.

While Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) attempted to justify the increases, citing rising operational costs, inflation, expensive spare parts, and forex challenges, several lawmakers strongly objected, insisting that the fares represented exploitation.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: “Minimum wage is N70,000. A civil servant would need to save six months’ salary to afford a one-way ticket. This is glaring exploitation.”

Akpabio further added that no corresponding increase in airport levies or aviation service charges could justify a 200–300% spike in airfares.

Following extensive debate, the Senate resolved to summon all key stakeholders in the aviation sector—including the Minister of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and airline operators—for an emergency meeting this week.

The chamber also urged the Minister of Aviation to “rise to the occasion” and curtail what it described as “unwarranted extortion.”

In its resolutions, the Senate “Condemned the sudden and excessive rise in airfares nationwide, mandated the immediate summoning of all relevant aviation stakeholders.

“Called for urgent measures to prevent exploitation and ensure affordable travel during the yuletide season.

“Directed aviation committees to present recommendations at the next plenary.

Senate President Akpabio affirmed the decision after a voice vote: “Those in support say aye.”
The ayes had it.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation was subsequently instructed to notify all stakeholders and ensure the emergency meeting is convened without delay. A comprehensive report is expected at the next plenary.