NANTA PLEADS FOR FCCPC INTERVENTION OVER HIGH FLIGHT FARES AND TARRIFS

Skyrocketing flight fares have hit the struggling Nigerian aviation industry. In fact, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has recently pleaded with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to intervene in this matter.

We will discuss the exorbitant airline costs in Nigeria and their negative effects. We will also delve into the reasons behind these high costs and the possible solutions.

What are the exorbitant airline costs in Nigeria?

Nigeria is notorious for having some of the highest airline costs and the worst aviation services in the world. According to the World Economic Forum, Nigeria ranks 143 out of 145 countries in terms of the quality of its air transport infrastructure. 

Exorbitant airline prices have discouraged many Nigerians from traveling by air, which would have been an alternative option to road transport, which is currently under constant threat of kidnapping, robbery, and other high-security risks. 

Due to these and other troubling factors, like mismanagement and inadequate staffing, the prices kept going up.

For example, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Abuja can cost as much as ₦97,500 (approximately $130) during peak periods. This is a significant amount of money for many Nigerians, especially when you consider that the minimum wage in Nigeria is ₦30,000 per month.

The negative effects of high airline costs in Nigeria

Many negative consequences have resulted from Nigeria's excessive flight prices. First of all, they have made many Nigerians reluctant to fly. As a result, fewer tourists are coming to Nigeria, which is bad for the economy of a country that is facing hardship and counting on foreign investments. 

Secondly, because of the high costs, many Nigerians have found it challenging to attend significant occasions like weddings, funerals, and business meetings, which has had a detrimental effect on the basic social and economic structure of the nation.

Finally, the high airline costs have made it difficult for Nigerian businesses to compete internationally. This has had a negative impact on the country's economic growth.

Reasons behind the high airline costs in Nigeria

There are a number of reasons behind the high airline costs in Nigeria. Firstly, the country's aviation sector is heavily regulated, which has resulted in a lack of competition. This lack of competition has allowed airlines to charge exorbitant prices without fear of losing customers to cheaper competitors. 

Secondly, the cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria is significantly higher than in other countries. This is partly due to the fact that Nigeria has to import most of its aviation fuel, which is subject to fluctuations in international prices.

Finally, the high costs of airport infrastructure and maintenance due to the low value of the naira in the international market have also contributed to the high airline costs in Nigeria.

Possible solutions to the high airline costs in Nigeria

There are a number of possible solutions to the high airline costs in Nigeria. First, the government could deregulate the aviation sector to encourage competition. This would allow airlines to compete on price, which would help bring down the costs of air travel. 

Secondly, the government could invest in local refineries to bring down the cost of aviation fuel. This would help reduce the cost of air travel in Nigeria. 

Finally, the government could invest in airport infrastructure and maintenance to reduce the costs of operating airlines in Nigeria. This would also help to bring down the costs of air travel.

The high airline costs in Nigeria have had a number of negative effects on the country's economy and social fabric. While there are a number of reasons behind these high costs, there are also a number of possible solutions. 

There is a need to declare an emergency in this sector to fix things urgently and make policies that put passengers before airlines. It is up to the government and the aviation industry to work together to implement these solutions and reduce the cost of air travel in Nigeria.