Aviation experts on Thursday said structural and operational challenges, rather than airline pricing strategies, are the main drivers of high air fares in Nigeria, during an Aviation Town Hall meeting. Alex Nwuba of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) noted that ticket prices are shaped by survival costs including fuel, aircraft leasing, maintenance, and airport charges, adding, “Airline price for survival and cost components, which include fuel, lease, maintenance, and airport charges, directly shape what passengers pay,” while citing smaller fleets and grounded aircraft as key factors pushing costs up. Sindy Foster, Managing Partner at Avaero Capital Partners, stressed that limited seat availability also drives fares, saying, “Even if total costs fall slightly, a reduction in capacity pushes the unit cost higher. Before any margin is added, fares must increase simply to recover costs,” noting that only forty-four aircraft were operational in 2025 while seventy-nine remained grounded. The experts emphasised that high fares reflect systemic inefficiencies, with Ms Foster warning, “High air fares are not arbitrary. They are a reflection of structural inefficiencies in the system,” and Mr Nwuba adding, “Structural constraints in capacity and operational efficiency affect pricing everywhere, and Nigeria is no exception,” urging coordinated reforms to improve fleet availability, reduce maintenance delays, and expand airport infrastructure.
