Airfares jump by 200% ahead of festive season

Nigerian airfares are expected to surge by nearly 200 percent for holiday travel, according to airline booking platforms. The price hikes are set to begin on December 20, 2026, with some domestic flights experiencing increases of up to N196,000 for economy tickets. Aero Contractors and Air Peace are among the carriers raising their fares significantly, with the latter recording the highest increase of about 208 percent on the Lagos-Asaba route.

The steep rise has reignited concerns about the affordability of domestic air travel during the festive season, especially for those who rely on flights to visit relatives. In January, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission also accused some airlines of price-fixing during the 2025 holiday period.