Senate summons aviation minister over rise in domestic airfares

The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and major players in the aviation industry for an emergency session over the sudden rise in domestic airfares across the country.

The resolution followed a motion by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North), who warned that the soaring ticket prices posed a threat to national mobility and could severely disrupt travel during the fast-approaching festive season.

There are reports that one-way airfare on some domestic routes, particularly on the South-South and South-East routes, has jumped by about 150 per cent, crossing N300,000.

Senator Buhari said the surge had triggered widespread complaints from Nigerians, noting that the rising insecurity on major highways left many citizens with few travel alternatives.

“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate these issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” he said.

Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) described the situation as unacceptable.

In his submissions, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi decried what he termed a “400 per cent increase” in fares and faulted the delayed establishment of a national carrier and called on the aviation minister to intervene decisively.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) said airlines had enjoyed significant concessions, especially on the importation of spare parts, and should  account for the sudden increase in airfares.

However, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), offered a different perspective, citing the rising cost of aviation fuel, maintenance and imported components.

His defence was met with stiff resistance from colleagues who insisted that the burden should not be transferred to the already strained passengers.

The Senate consequently mandated the minister, airline operators, regulators and other relevant stakeholders to appear before its aviation committee this week to explain the price hikes and outline measures to stabilise fares ahead of the holiday travel period.

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