Senate Calls Aviation Minister to Address Surge in Domestic Airfares

The Senate has called upon Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and key industry stakeholders for an urgent meeting in response to growing public concern over the dramatic increase in domestic airfares. This decision was made during a session on December 9, after Senator Buhari Abdulfatai raised a motion emphasizing that inflated prices threaten travel accessibility and could lead to widespread travel disruptions in the near future.

Senator Buhari, representing Oyo State, pointed out that Nigerians have been increasingly vocal about the rising costs of domestic flights, revealing that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos can now range from N400,000 to N600,000 prices that are unaffordable for many citizens. He expressed that the situation is particularly troubling due to the heightened risks associated with traveling on major highways.

“We must invite representatives from airline agencies to discuss and probe the underlying issues. Immediate action is required before the holiday season,” he stated. Other senators shared similar sentiments.

On the other hand, Senator Orji Kalu sought to defend the hike in fares by citing escalating operational expenses and the increasing costs of spare parts, a defense that was met with significant dissent from several lawmakers.

In light of these discussions, the Senate unanimously agreed to summon Minister Festus Keyamo, airline operators, regulators, and other relevant stakeholders to provide explanations for the fare increases and explore potential solutions to mitigate the situation.