The Spokesperson for the Airline Operators of Nigeria and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo has said that with the increase in cost operations, an air ticket from Lagos to Abuja should cost N250 thousand. He said this in an Exclusive interview on AriseTv.

In his words,

“If you think tickets are expensive, then you probably don’t appreciate the sacrifices made by local operators. If we have to charge the fares, the way the costs are increasing every day, we should be paying not less than N250,000 from Lagos to Abuja,”

Airlines should have a special window for Forex.

Going further Prof. Okonkwo who doubles as the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines highlighted the urgent need for local airlines to access foreign exchange through a designated window facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He called upon the newly appointed Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, to collaborate with other governmental bodies to identify and rectify obstructive elements within the system, which exacerbate the existing challenges.

Addressing the foreign exchange predicament, Okonkwo stated,

“You have naira and you can’t convert it to the dollar. So, the solution to this is for our minister to understand that we need a special window with the CBN to access foreign exchange.”

High cost of aviation fuel caused by speculation.

He expressed concern over the unjustifiably high cost of aviation fuel, attributing the excess charges to speculative practices. He called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to play its part in stabilizing the industry by curbing these practices.

He remarked thus,

“There is no reason, no matter the international price of crude oil, that the aviation fuel should be delivered to the pump for more than N500. Everything you see on top of it is speculations and I am calling out on NNPC staff to set this country free.”

The aviation sector should be designated an essential sector.

Recognizing the significance of the aviation sector, Okonkwo advocated for its acknowledgement as an essential industry within Nigeria. He cautioned against any interference with the existing regulatory framework, stressing that stability and consistency were paramount.

He remarked,

“The government and new aviation minister have to recognize the aviation industry as one of the essential industries in the country. It is no more for the rich only but a means of transportation.”

New Minister should not tamper with existing regulation

Drawing attention to the industry’s unique challenges, Okonkwo highlighted the currency disparity that local operators grapple with. Earnings in naira must cover significant dollar-denominated expenses, making the industry particularly vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

In this context, he urged the minister not to tamper with the existing regulations and institutional structures.

“The current minister should not interfere with the regulations. We had a very terrible past where the regulatory employees were given employment letters from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. That’s absurd and unacceptable. So, let the regulatory system remain. Also, look into the latest appointments that were made before the end of the last administration,”
Okonkwo asserted.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nairametrics.com/2023/08/23/lagos-to-abuja-flight-ticket/%3famp=1

Why is it that a currency ($) that Nigeria doesn't own nor print keeps having such an insane influence on our local economy??

Crushing the middle-class

Hmm

Make it 600k. Thieves.

The middle class or average families are the ones feeling these harsh economic policies . I think what this present govt is doing is devilish

Na wa oooo...


How much be Bus fare again... 😒

Pierocash:
Make it 600k. Thieves.

You won't say this if you run a business under the current atmosphere even if its pure water you are selling, but I won't blame you since your work is extorting struggling bus and Keke drivers and threatening to break their side mirrors and windscreen while screaming "Owomida and Owo Shiaman"

For folks like me and some many others who haven't boarded a plane before because we can't afford it, this increment will only make the hope of boarding on a plane draw longer....

If i never get money to take it when it was 50k, shey na when dem increase am to 250k, na hin I go get the money to take flight within Nigeria. So I rather go for train or bus 🚍

Nigerians just always love to extort Nigerians

ShortBiscuit:
Why is it that a currency ($) that Nigeria doesn't own nor print keeps having such an insane influence on our local economy??

Because we import everything we consume and you can't buy things from another country in naira.
Learnt thus in primary 1

Frankly, airline is relatively cheap. No justification for charging less than 60k for a 1 hour trip while God is Good Motors charge around 30k for a journey of over 10 hours with high risk (robbery, kidnapping). In fact, airline only increased their fees recently. It's always been a 10-15k difference between airline and road trips (totally not worth it). Airline operators have been fair.

Its Obi that caused the high cost of operation. And Obi won't be able to travel with air anymore. Let the agbadorians breath

On his mumudate they stood,they are now queuing for sachet of garri..

What about those fake bishops during campaign? Those guys must be enjoying the country now.. Fools!

Apc messed una up for good 8years.. Una still carry dey support same APC.

When Bat was avoiding debates ,them no still fit get sense to know that he has got nothing to offer..

The expense of movement now is getting outrageous. Gone are the days people fly for business appointments and fly back after meetings. These days, you only move when necessary. This phase will surely pass.

mrvitalis:
I honestly don't get why u can get flight from London to Paris for under £50 ... There are flights under £20

Their pilots earn more, their workers generally earn more than Nigerian aviation workers by a factor of over 7

Aviation fuel is way cheaper in Nigeria

So why exactly is flight far more expensive in Nigeria

I honestly can't get it honestly

Honestly,the distortion and paradox is puzzling.
Far higher paid workers,higher taxes,more regular and therefore costlier maintenance,yet their fares are still cheaper than that of Nigeria.
It just doesn't add up and doesn't seem to make sense.

What ?

Give some blackmen trade unions and they will fix prices instead of advancing services they render. Heard flight from Cotonou to Paris is way cheaper than from Lagos to London. Now what makes ours so expensive?

mrvitalis:
I honestly don't get why u can get flight from London to Paris for under £50 ... There are flights under £20

Their pilots earn more, their workers generally earn more than Nigerian aviation workers by a factor of over 7

Aviation fuel is way cheaper in Nigeria

So why exactly is flight far more expensive in Nigeria

I honestly can't get it honestly

It's greed of the black man... The airline operators won't disclose the exact amount of money they make with just one trip carrying hundreds of passangers.. not to talk of the multiple trips per day and amount they make on weekly and monthly basis.
They have formed cabals in the aviation industry to be milking Nigerians just like other sectors.

One bus will carry 18 - 22 people max at 35k for 10 - 14 hours journey but plane will lift as much as 400+ passangers at once for airbus for a 1hr 15mins trip.
They are telling us rubbish just to jistify their own 419 activities.

DenreleDave:


For folks like me who haven't boarded a plane before because I can't afford it, this increment will only make the hope of boarding on a plane draw longer....

If i never get money to take it when it was 50k, shey na when dem increase am to 250k, na hin I go get the money to take flight within Nigeria

Nigerians just always love to extort Nigerians

And in your mind you think those of us glamouring for good governance are poor.

You're nothing yet but you keep supporting the wrong people to lord over you. You better grow up mister so you'd one day make enough to board airplanes too.

THIS IS WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE IN SHITHOLE

e no cost N1m?

Let the p00r breath

Very expensive!

APC TWERKERS where una dey

n

APC is a failure

Funny people.
Imagine 250k for a local flight

Even if it's 300k Nigerians will still buy flight tickets.... Na we dey endure pass for dis world.... Other countries get breaking point, but I'm not sure it's in our own DNA

Patience! it will get there

Thieves

It should cost a million naa

ABUJA TO LAGOS SHOULDN'T EVEN COST UP TO 100K EVEN WITH THE PRESENT INFLATION.
THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS GOVERNMENT EVIL AND HIGH TAXES

A country blessed with so much riches but still lacks many major basic amenities, yet government is still taxing services providers heavily.

YOU'LL BUY A CAR FROM YANKEE FOR TWO MILLION NAIRA AND GOVERNMENT WILL STILL TAX YOU ANOTHER TWO MILLION NAIRA JUST TO CLEAR IT.
WE NEED REVOLUTION IN THIS COUNTRY.
ALL THESE CORRUPT OLD FOOLS GOVERNING US NEEDS TO GO.

DenreleDave:


For folks like me who haven't boarded a plane before because I can't afford it, this increment will only make the hope of boarding on a plane draw longer....

If i never get money to take it when it was 50k, shey na when dem increase am to 250k, na hin I go get the money to take flight within Nigeria

Nigerians just always love to extort Nigerians

Poor man supporting same people whose useless policies add to his poverty.
What a paradox