Air fares go up by 50% as aviation fuel becomes scarce

Airline passengers have been forced to pay an increase in air fares as a result of acute scarcity of aviation fuel, which has returned to the sector after all attempts to avert it failed.

In August, many international airlines threatened canceling operations in Nigeria as a result of aviation fuel scarcity, which caused increase from N100 per litre to N150. It is currently selling at N200.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Sirika, had promised to ask NNPC to intervene, but indications are that it did not help matters.

For instance, a flight ticket to Port Harcourt from Lagos, which was N25, 000 in November 2016 was suddenly hiked by 50 per cent on Friday.

As a result, many airlines have cut down on their frequency of flights, a situation that has led to many passengers having their journey canceled.

Read also:  Unemployment on the rise –NBS

An official of Arik Air said his company, having increased its operations to accommodate anticipated inlux of passengers at the Yuletide, had been hampered by lack of fuel to sustain the plan.

“We use 400,000 litres of fuel per day, but due to the increase in our domestic and foreign flights, this was increased to 500, 000 litres. However, we can only get 200,000 at even a higher cost per litre. ”

Another airline, Peace Airline, said it had planned not to increase fare during the Christmas holiday, but circumstances beyond its control had compelled it to allow an increase of 45 per cent.

On Friday, many passengers were sighted at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos lobbying for opportunity to buy tickets, even at the hiked price.

Analysts express fear that unless something urgent is done, the situation may worsen as the holiday approaches.

 

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now