As Nigeria slides into the busiest travel season of the year, a combination of soaring demand, limited aircraft availability and global competition has sent airline ticket prices – domestic, regional and international – soaring.
For many Nigerians, what used to be a manageable flight home or abroad now feels like a major financial strain, reports Daily Independent.
Our correspondent draws on recent data from airline booking platforms, industry reports and media coverage to map the dramatic change in airfares from roughly three months ago to today – and how some airlines are trying to soften the blow with festive incentives.
Domestic Flights: From N120,000 To Over N300,000
In early September 2025, domestic air travel in Nigeria was relatively affordable. According to a 2025 review of national carriers, one-way economy flights such as Lagos–Abuja, Lagos–Port Harcourt or Lagos–Uyo typically ranged from N50,000 to N75,000 for low-cost carriers, and N80,000 to N95,000 for premium carriers, putting return fares between N110,000 and N160,000.
By December, the picture has changed dramatically. One-way tickets on many domestic routes have more than doubled, often crossing the N300,000 threshold. For instance, a one-way ticket on the busy Lagos–Asaba route with Air Peace jumped from around N120,000 pre-festive season to as high as N337,500 for flights between December 24–29, 2025. This is for early bookers.
Routes in the South-East and South-South – such as Lagos–Enugu, Lagos–Owerri, Lagos–Port Harcourt – now carry one-way fares between N335,500 and N430,700. Even relatively short flights, like Lagos–Benin or Abuja–Asaba, previously affordable for road alternatives, now carry one-way fares well above N300,000.
A return trip booked for a holiday window can easily climb to N700,000 or more; for example, a round-trip from Lagos to Asaba around 26 December–4 January 2026 on Air Peace is priced at N715,000.
Airline executives and analysts attribute the surge to reduced fleet capacity, high inflation, sharply rising demand, multiple taxes by government agencies and increased fuel and operational costs.
Passengers Lament Soaring Domestic Fares
Many Nigerians are shocked at how quickly domestic air travel has become almost out of reach.
“I used to pay N65,000 to fly Lagos–Abuja without stress. Now I’m being told to budget over N300,000 for the same trip,” said Amaka, a business traveller.
“At this point, flying feels like a luxury reserved for the rich.”
“My children haven’t been home since August because the flights are now too expensive,” complained Osy, who usually flies Lagos–Asaba for family visits.
“A ticket that cost N80,000 a few months ago is now almost N400,000 – how are ordinary people supposed to cope?”
International/Regional Routes: Mixed Signals, But Some Relief
While domestic fares have jumped sharply, the international space presents a more mixed – and in some cases, surprisingly competitive – landscape. The return of Emirates, along with increased frequencies by Qatar Airways, has helped stabilise long-haul fares.
A return economy ticket from Lagos to Dubai on Emirates was listed at USD1,021 at the end of November 2025, while Lagos–London was priced from USD1,093, translating to about N1.4 – 1.5 million depending on FX rates – much lower than earlier high-season fares.
Qatar Airways increased weekly flights to Lagos from 10 to 14 beginning mid-December, helping suppress fare spikes on the Lagos–Doha route. For some travellers, round-trip economy fares have dropped to an average of N841,732.
Despite some relief on long-haul routes, prices for short regional flights remain a concern.
“I paid nearly N600,000 for a Lagos–Accra return ticket – something that used to cost half of that,” lamented Danjuma, a fashion entrepreneur who frequents West African routes. “These regional fares are punishing. It’s cheaper now to fly to Dubai than to Ghana.”
What Airlines Are Offering
Some airlines are deploying incentives to reduce the pressure on travellers.
Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines fixed yuletide one-way fares at N350,500 for several South-East and South-South routes from December 1. United Nigeria Airlines also announced that from January 1, 2026, some routes will drop to as low as N150,000.
On international routes, some foreign carriers have launched festive promotions, with Emirates and Qatar Airways providing discounted return tickets and increased frequency. Ethiopian Airlines continues to offer competitive regional and international connections, while smaller carriers like Overland Airways run modest holiday deals where possible.
What’s Changed Since September
Comparing the current situation with that of three months earlier shows a dramatic shift, driven not only by festive travel demand but also by deep structural challenges. Domestic fares that once sat between N50,000 and N95,000 have surged to between N300,000 and N430,000 on high-traffic routes. A festive-season return ticket can exceed N700,000.
International travel, conversely, has become more stable due to increased competition and flight frequencies. For some passengers, especially early bookers, regional and international travel has become more predictable and in some cases cheaper than domestic alternatives.
Yet, fleet shortages remain a major challenge within the local industry, ensuring that even after the festive season, a full return to the old pricing reality is unlikely.
What This Means For The Christmas Traveller
Travellers are urged to book early, explore promotional fares, and avoid the peak travel dates where possible. International carriers may offer more affordable alternatives for some regional and long-haul journeys.
Flexibility with dates may save money, and those travelling domestically should prepare for potential delays as airlines manage capacity constraints.
A Glimpse Ahead
Historically, fares drop after the first week of January as demand eases. Some airlines are already announcing reductions for 2026.
However, structural issues such as aircraft shortages and high operational costs could keep prices relatively elevated compared to past years.
Nevertheless, increased competition on global routes may sustain some downward pressure for international travellers.
For Nigerians flying this December, the reality is clear: air travel has become significantly more expensive, but smart planning can still help ease the financial weight.
