Nigerians Enjoy World’s Lowest Domestic Airfares Despite Rising Holiday Prices — Air Peace CEO

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has stated that Nigerians continue to enjoy the cheapest domestic airfares globally, even as airlines adjust ticket prices during the festive season.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, Onyema explained that air travel within Nigeria remains far more affordable than similar short-distance flights in other countries. He noted that fare increases during peak periods do not change the fact that Nigerian passengers still pay significantly less.

According to him, short domestic flights abroad often cost more than $400, while similar one-hour flights in Nigeria are sold at much lower rates. Onyema said this imbalance has made it difficult for local airlines to remain financially stable.

To support his position, he compared Nigerian routes with flights in the United States, citing the Atlanta–Charleston route, which lasts less than an hour but sells for nearly $400 one-way. Converted to naira, he said the fare exceeds ₦600,000, far higher than domestic Nigerian tickets.

He pointed out that Nigerian airlines still sell tickets for between ₦115,000 and ₦125,000, which is less than $60, despite facing higher operational challenges.

Onyema dismissed arguments that airfares should vary widely by country, stressing that aviation costs are largely uniform worldwide. He explained that aircraft, spare parts, and engines are sourced from the same global market.

He also highlighted the difficulties Nigerian airlines face, including high interest rates on loans, limited access to local maintenance facilities, and the heavy cost of ferrying aircraft abroad for major repairs. These expenses, he said, place Nigerian operators at a disadvantage compared to their foreign counterparts.

Despite these challenges, Onyema maintained that Nigerian airlines have kept domestic fares relatively low, insisting that passengers in the country still pay the lowest domestic airfares in the world.