NCAA Reacts to December Airfare Increase

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has debunked claims that the rise in domestic airfares recorded in December was caused by government taxes.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA, clarified in a post on his X handle on Sunday.

According to him, market forces driven by high demand had caused the rise in airfares.

Achimugu noted that the December fare increases were limited to certain high-traffic routes and are a recurring annual trend linked to festive travel demand.

He maintained that the situation was not unique to aviation, pointing out that transport fares, accommodation prices, and food costs also rise during the festive season.

The NCAA’s position comes amid comments by Allen Onyema, Air Peace Chief Executive Officer, on Sunday that Nigerians pay the cheapest domestic airfares globally.

Onyema claimed that airlines retain only about ₦81,000 from a ₦350,000 ticket after taxes and charges, leaving operators under severe financial strain.

The NCAA dismissed claims by some airline operators that excessive taxes and charges were responsible for the astronomical ticket prices witnessed during the yuletide period.