As the holiday season approaches, passengers traveling to Nigeria’s Southeast are grappling with exorbitant airfare prices, with return tickets now costing as much as N700,000. With less than a week to Christmas and two weeks to the New Year celebrations, the steep prices have left many families reconsidering their travel plans.
Beatrice Nwankwo, a businesswoman, expressed her frustration over the high costs, noting that her family of five might need to spend nearly N4 million to travel to Owerri for a burial. “Where’s the money?” she lamented, adding that despite the risks associated with road travel, such as kidnapping, some of her friends were opting for the cheaper alternative.
A review of airline websites, including Air Peace, United Nigeria Airline, Ibom Air, Arik, and Aero Contractors, confirmed that ticket prices to Southeast destinations like Anambra, Enugu, Owerri, and even South-South’s Port Harcourt have surged. These regions, predominantly Christian, typically experience heavy traffic during the Yuletide as people travel to celebrate with family and friends.
The high demand, coupled with security concerns on the roads, has made air travel the preferred choice for many. However, the escalating costs have made it unattainable for most.
For instance, a round-trip ticket on United Nigeria Airline from Lagos to Anambra costs N700,000, while an Abuja to Owerri return flight is priced at N550,000. On December 26, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Enugu is N400,000, with a return on January 3rd priced at N95,000.
Similarly, Air Peace Airlines lists Lagos to Anambra at N285,800 for a one-way ticket, while the return trip costs N387,100, totaling N672,900. A round-trip ticket for Lagos-Enugu costs N571,600, and Lagos to Owerri is priced at N666,900.
In contrast, tickets to other regions remain relatively affordable. For example, a one-way Ibom Air ticket from Lagos to Uyo costs N152,700—significantly lower than Southeast routes.
The exorbitant airfare has forced many Southeast travelers to turn to road transport despite its rising costs due to increasing fuel prices. Road transport operators have reported declining passenger numbers due to the overall high cost of travel. Some operators have begun offering shared rides in unregistered vehicles as a more affordable option, although safety concerns persist.
The situation has left many Nigerians frustrated, with the cost of holiday travel creating financial strain during a season traditionally marked by family reunions and celebrations.