The Guardian
• Economy tickets sell at N100,000 on average
• Consumer satisfaction tumbles as travellers suffer without protection
• NCAA alerts pilots, crew to poor visibility, safety precautions
• We have low capacity to meet demand surge, operators confess
Nigerians travelling by air this season is in for one of the most expensive pricing regimes in local airfares, but without corresponding value for money or customer satisfaction.
Conspicuously missing in the confusion is the consumer protection department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), two agencies mandated to enforce the rights of consumers and mete sanctions to airlines for deterrence.
The apex regulator, NCAA, at the weekend warned pilots and crew to be wary of the poor visibility and exercise maximum restraint in accordance with safety rules.
Indeed, local aviation recorded marginal growth this year with two new airlines bringing the toll of scheduled carriers to 11. Conversely, an increase in fleet capacity and wider route coverage has not lowered airfares; rather, it ballooned it.
A survey of the current airfares showed a slightly varying price range across the airlines and routes. On average, Economy Class one-way tickets on all routes, subject to seat availability, that was earlier sold for N33,000 were on the airlines’ platform quoted between N42,000 and N118,500 as of yesterday.
For instance, an Arik Air Lagos-Sokoto Economy flight ticket that used to sell for N42,000 went for between N76,800 to N106,800 on the airline’s official platform. Its Lagos-Port Harcourt corridor was quoted at N68,000. Lagos-Warri cost an average of N75,000 on a one-way trip. Air Peace future flights into the south range between N42,000 to N60,000, with a tendency of spiral effect as the travel date and festivities approach.
A travel agent, Olaolu Adams, said the industry is already in a “festive mood” with airlines raising fares on few available seats.
“With insecurity, kidnappings and the likes, many Nigerians going to Southeast are bound to travel by air. Most flights from 19th (yesterday) upwards are already fully booked. The few ones available are offered to the highest bidder. Except airlines create more flights, we will continue to have scarcity and ridiculously expensive airfares,” Adams said.
The Chief Operating Officer of one of the local carriers said they were not averse to adding as many flights to meet demand, but for the low capacity facing the local airlines.
