The Senate on Tuesday launched a full-scale investigation into what it described as “outrageous” and “unjustifiable” airfares imposed by local airlines in recent weeks, following widespread public outrage and personal testimonies from senators.
During a heated debate at plenary, lawmakers revealed that some airlines were charging between ₦500,000 and ₦650,000 for one-way domestic tickets—fares that ordinarily range between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000.
The debate stemmed from a motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who condemned the fare hike as “unacceptable” and demanded urgent Senate intervention.
“In the last three months, Nigerians have been complaining about the outrageous air fares being charged by the airlines,” Senator Buhari said. “We had an informal interaction with the airline owners demanding explanations, but nothing came out of it. There is a need for the Senate to intervene by inviting all stakeholders in the aviation sector to address this problem.”
Buhari further disclosed that some carriers now charge up to ₦650,000 for Lagos–Abuja one-way tickets.
Supporting the motion, Senator Adamu Aliero described the fares as “outrageous,” arguing that an average Nigerian on minimum wage “would have to save five months’ salary just to purchase a one-way ticket.”
He insisted the hike was unjustifiable, adding that “there has been no corresponding increase in aviation fuel prices or airport charges.”
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi narrated a personal experience earlier in the day.
“Just this morning, I asked my personal assistant to book a flight for me from Abuja to Enugu for 13th December,” he said. “Air Peace demanded ₦500,000 while Ibom Air charged ₦450,000 for the same flight.”
His revelation prompted fresh calls from senators to revisit the stalled Nigeria Air project, initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“When are we going to have Air Nigeria?” Nwaebonyi asked. “Other African countries still manage their national airlines effectively. We must save Nigerians from this extortion.”
Senator Olamilekan Adeola questioned why airlines would increase fares despite enjoying Central Bank concessions on foreign exchange.
“Nobody asked them to purchase aircraft that are as old as 30 years and above,” he said, dismissing claims that spare parts costs justify the surge.
Adeola threw his weight behind the motion for a full probe, including summoning airline operators and all relevant aviation authorities.
Among those expected to appear before the Senate Aviation Committee in the coming days are the Aviation Minister, heads of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other regulators.
At the plenary, an attempt by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to defend the airlines—citing rising operational costs—was immediately shot down as colleagues shouted him down with loud cries of “No! No! No!”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the majority position, insisting that airlines must be checked.
“Nigerian air travelers are being exploited,” Akpabio said. “Nigeria Air would have been sympathetic to travelers with lower fares. This would have forced private operators to lower their prices.”
He directed the Senate Aviation Committee to summon stakeholders “in the shortest possible time” before the Senate adjourns for the Christmas and end-of-year break in two weeks.
The investigation is expected to determine whether local airlines are colluding to exploit passengers, and what regulatory actions should follow.
