Senate summons aviation minister over airfares
The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation following a sharp surge in domestic airfares across Nigeria that has continued to burden travelers and businesses. The move follows complaints from lawmakers and members of the public over the rising cost of local flights, which many say has made air travel increasingly unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians.
During plenary, several senators expressed concern that ticket prices on major domestic routes have risen beyond the reach of most citizens. They noted that the situation is affecting economic activities, tourism, and the movement of people across the country. Lawmakers stressed that aviation plays a critical role in national development and should not become a luxury reserved only for the wealthy.
The Senate directed the aviation minister to appear before it to explain the reasons behind the persistent increase in fares and to outline measures being taken to stabilize the situation. Key issues expected to be discussed include the high cost of aviation fuel, operational challenges faced by airlines, foreign exchange pressures, and regulatory oversight within the sector.
Some senators also accused airline operators of exploiting passengers under the guise of rising costs, calling for stronger regulation to protect consumers. They urged the federal government to urgently intervene to prevent a total collapse of affordability in the domestic aviation market.
The aviation ministry is yet to issue an official response to the summons, but industry stakeholders have continued to link the fare hike to fuel prices, maintenance costs, and foreign exchange volatility. Nigerians now await the outcome of the Senate’s engagement with the ministry, which many hope will lead to concrete steps to bring down domestic airfares.
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