The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, has insisted that Nigerians pay the lowest domestic airfares globally, dismissing claims of unjustified ticket price hikes during the Yuletide season.
Onyema spoke during a television interview on Sunday, where he compared domestic fares in Nigeria with ticket prices in Europe and other parts of the world.
Responding to public concerns over fare increases on local routes, he said: “Nigerians are flying the cheapest domestic fares in the world, and I can prove it. Airfares are not seasonal; even now, Nigerians are still paying the lowest.”
He cited examples from the United States, noting that a short domestic flight from Atlanta to Charleston—similar in duration to Lagos–Owerri—costs about $400 for a one-way ticket. “That is a less than 50-minute flight. If you check early January, you will see fares around $400,” he said.
Onyema rejected arguments that Nigeria should not be compared with Europe or other regions, stressing that aviation costs are globally standardised. “Aviation is the same everywhere. We buy aircraft from the same global market, and in fact, operators abroad are in a better position than we are,” he said.
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He explained that foreign airlines have easier access to spare parts, engines and maintenance facilities, often within the same airport, while Nigerian airlines incur heavy costs ferrying aircraft abroad for major maintenance.
“For Nigerian airlines, base maintenance alone can cost about $400,000 just to ferry an aircraft. Bringing back an engine can cost up to $1.5 million. Elsewhere, airlines may spend less than $10,000 to move an engine. Nothing is produced in Nigeria; everything is paid for in dollars,” he said.
Onyema added that a one-hour flight abroad can cost over $400, with main cabin fares around $459, comfort class $549 and business class about $609 for a round trip.
“For a one-way trip booked in advance, you are looking at about $399. Converted at N1,500 to the dollar, that is over N600,000, and close to N800,000 if it is above $400,” he said.
By contrast, he noted that domestic fares in Nigeria still sell for as low as N115,000 to N125,000, which he said is less than $60.
“Why do you think the mortality rate of airlines in Nigeria is the worst in the world? Over 80 airlines have come and gone,” Onyema said.
He urged Nigerians to show greater understanding of the industry’s challenges, adding: “They should let Nigerian airlines be. Enough is enough.”
