The Senate has called for an emergency meeting with Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo and key figures in the aviation industry following nationwide outrage over the dramatic surge in domestic flight prices.
The summon was triggered by a motion from Senator Buhari Abdulfatai during Tuesday’s plenary. Abdulfatai cautioned that the sudden spike in airfare threatens the movement of citizens across the country and could cripple travel in the coming weeks if not urgently addressed.
Raising alarm over the situation, the senator noted that passengers have endured steadily rising ticket prices for months. He revealed that a one-way flight from Abuja to Lagos now costs between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, a price range that many Nigerians simply cannot afford. The lawmaker added that the situation is particularly troubling given the worsening insecurity and difficulties associated with road travel.
“We must sit with stakeholders in the aviation sector to identify the root causes and take swift action, especially with the festive season approaching,” Abdulfatai urged.
Lawmakers Decry Unprecedented Fare Hike
Several senators echoed the concerns. Senator Adamu Aliero labelled the current fare regime as intolerable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi described the situation as nothing short of a 400 percent increase—a burden he said the public should not be forced to bear.
Nwebonyi further faulted the federal government for the stalled establishment of a national carrier, insisting that Nigeria cannot continue without one. He challenged the aviation minister to take decisive steps to reverse the alarming trend.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan added that airline operators have benefited from multiple government concessions, including duty waivers on spare parts, and should therefore not be allowed to pass excessive costs to travellers.
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But not all lawmakers agreed. Senator Orji Kalu defended the operators, arguing that they are battling skyrocketing operational expenses, particularly the rising cost of aircraft maintenance and spare parts. His comments, however, were met with stiff resistance from colleagues who insisted that the airlines must still be held accountable.
Stakeholders to Face Senate Committees This Week
After a heated debate, the Senate unanimously resolved that Keyamo, airline executives, regulatory bodies and other aviation stakeholders must appear before its committees within the week. They are expected to provide detailed explanations for the soaring prices and propose immediate solutions.
The Senate stressed that stabilising airfares ahead of the holiday season is essential, warning that failure to act promptly could worsen the frustrations already faced by travellers nationwide.
