The North Central zone in July 2024 reported the highest average domestic airfares in Nigeria, with prices reaching N102,139.71 for a single journey on designated routes.
This figure exceeded the national average of N98,561.74, making it the highest among the six geopolitical zones in the country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report for July 2024.
The report highlighted a significant 20.10% increase in the North Central zone’s average airfare from June 2024, when it stood at N85,047.73.
Additionally, there was a substantial 33.77% rise compared to July 2023, where the average fare was N76,357.
Following closely, the North East zone recorded the second-highest average airfare at N101,141.22 in July 2024. This figure marks a 12.80% increase from the previous month and a 25.02% rise compared to the same period last year.
The South-South zone ranked third, with an average airfare of N97,757.55. This amount represents an 8.77% increase from the N80,083.33 reported in June 2024 and a 22.07% rise from July 2023.
Next, the South West zone had an average airfare of N96,917.80, reflecting a 5.19% month-on-month increase and a 22.94% rise compared to the previous year’s figures.
The North West zone had the lowest average airfare among the six zones, at N96,352.82, while the South East zone was slightly higher at N96,487.44.
The NBS report for July 2024 also provided a detailed overview of domestic flight costs across Nigeria at the state level, revealing significant variations. This state-level breakdown highlights disparities in airfare pricing, with some states experiencing considerably higher costs than others.
These variations underscore the regional differences in aviation infrastructure, operational costs, and demand levels, reflecting the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s domestic air travel market.
