The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Association of Airline Owners over what it described as an astronomical increase in domestic flight ticket prices.
The invitation was issued on Tuesday during plenary after lawmakers condemned the sharp rise in airfares, a development they said had worsened the financial strain on Nigerians preparing to travel for the festive season.
The decision followed a motion moved by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC–Oyo), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation. Presenting the motion, Buhari expressed deep concern over the burden the spike in ticket prices had placed on travellers.
He shared his personal experience to emphasize the situation, stating that a recent Lagos-to-Abuja flight cost him N400,000.
“For the past two months, Nigerians have been suffering and complaining about the price hike. Our roads are difficult to travel on. So it is important we intervene. We need to make an urgent decision before Christmas,” he said.
Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC–Kebbi) aligned with Buhari, describing the current fares as outrageous and exploitative.
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He stressed that the over 200 per cent increase in airfare had made domestic flights unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also criticised the sudden escalation in prices. Citing the cost of an Abuja-to-Enugu flight, he lamented that a one-way ticket now costs N500,000 — an amount equivalent to five months of the national minimum wage.
“Nigerians cannot afford this. It means many people will be unable to travel for the festive period,” he said.
However, the motion did not receive unanimous support. Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia) voiced his opposition, insisting that the issue was more complex than it appeared and that airline operators were also struggling with operational challenges. “It looks nice on the surface, but it doesn’t work for airline owners,” he said.
Following deliberations, the Senate mandated its Committee on Aviation to engage stakeholders and investigate the reasons behind the drastic fare increase, with expectations of urgent recommendations to ease the burden on Nigerians before the Christmas rush.
NAN
