SOS: We Can No Longer Travel
Traveling is one of the natural instincts from creation. Humans, animals, and even plants are known to move from place to place over time. Whether it is in search of opportunities or visiting loved ones, there is always a reason to be on the move.
Since the rise of kidnapping and banditry on our roads, many Nigerians have opted for air travel as a safer means of transport, especially since the conditions of many roads are terrible and insecurity is frightening. Air transportation became the preferred choice, but the recent cost of airfares has made it almost impossible for the average Nigerian to fly.
A popular social media influencer, MC Mbakara, recently shared his ordeal online. His 8:30 a.m. flight from Lagos to Anambra was postponed to 11:30 a.m., after he had left his house at 5 a.m. just to catch up. While waiting, hoping to fly by 11:30 a.m., the flight was later canceled for operational reasons. He also added that only four passengers had checked in for the Lagos to Anambra flight. The number of people flying has drastically reduced because most Nigerians cannot afford the tickets. A recent check showed that a flight from Lagos to Anambra (Economy Class) costs about ₦230,000, while Business Class is over ₦400,000. Uyo to Abuja costs around ₦152,000. Just a few years ago, you could fly Uyo to Lagos for ₦25,000.
Many airlines may be forced to shut down if this downward spiral continues, and we know how crucial the aviation industry is to any economy. Yes, aviation fuel is expensive, but we must find solutions.
A one-way Economy Class ticket from Lagos to Abuja on Air Peace, Ibom Air, Green Africa, and ValueJet, which cost between ₦50,000 and ₦65,000 last year, now costs between ₦130,000 and ₦220,000, depending on the airline and travel day or time. Also, a one-way Economy Class ticket from Lagos to Enugu on Air Peace and Green Africa, which cost an average of ₦60,000 last year, is currently selling for between ₦140,000 and as much as ₦500,000.
Stakeholders in the aviation sector say the traffic drop may worsen as ticket prices continue to rise. Data from the NCAA showed that 13 domestic airlines in Nigeria—including Aero, Air Peace, Arik, Azman, Dana, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Max Air, NG Eagle, Overland, Reno Air, United Nigeria Airline, and ValueJet—operate a total of 91 aircraft.
We want these airlines to stay in business. Yes, the dollar rate affects the cost of aircraft maintenance and aviation fuel prices are rising, but we must find a way to solve this problem to avoid stifling our economy and worsening our social poverty indices.
Ubong Usoro
