Despite the increase in the price of fuel, airfares have remained stable while airlines still enjoy a boost in their operations which started since the Christmas and New Year periods.
A visit to the domestic terminal of the Lagos Airport still revealed a high turnout of passengers, with fully booked flights in and out of the airport. However, airfares have remained stable and airlines like Chanchangi Airlines still charge N25,000 for one-way flight to Owerri, Port Harcourt and Abuja while Dana Airline has three categories of airfares ranging from N24,500, N26,000, N30,000 to Abuja, and its South Eastern destinations.
Aero has a strong base on online booking but for travellers who buy on-the-spot tickets for their travels they can pay as high N30,000 for one-way trips to various destinations in the country. Arik Air also encourages online booking while the airfare ranges from N25,000 to N30,000? depending on the time of travel and the destination.
FirstNation Airline even has a promo ticket of N18,000 to Port Harcourt if passengers can book two days ahead of their travel date.
These not withstanding, feelers within the industry say airlines will eventually increase airfares in line with the increase in other ancillary services, like catering, operational overhead and workers’ welfare among others.
The Convener, Congress of Aviation Unions and Professional Association (CAUPA), Engineer Sheri Kayri, said the increase in the fuel will impact on the airlines because,? eventually, aviation workers might seek increase in their salaries, and aviation agencies might also adjust the airport charges while airlines will likely pay more on ancillary services like catering, operational cost and others.
“It is only a matter of time before airlines increase their fares,” he said.
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