The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted claims that the recent surge in domestic airfares was caused by government taxes. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, explained that the increase was driven by market forces, particularly high demand during the festive season. He noted that fare hikes were limited to certain high‑traffic routes and represent a recurring annual trend linked to festive travel demand.
Airline operators had suggested that excessive taxes and charges were responsible for the high ticket prices witnessed during the yuletide period. Achimugu dismissed these assertions, stating that no domestic airline in Nigeria pays as many as 18 taxes and describing such claims as false and misleading. He added that the Authority has repeatedly engaged domestic carriers on the issue, and airlines themselves have admitted they do not pay the volume of taxes often cited publicly.
Achimugu questioned the justification for tickets selling for as high as ₦500,000 for flights lasting less than an hour, noting that there was no increase in taxes or jet‑fuel prices during the period. He expressed concern over repeated attempts to blame the government, despite unprecedented support for domestic operators under the current administration. Recent policy reforms now allow local airlines access to dry‑leased aircraft—a development that had not been available for decades.
The NCAA’s clarification comes as the aviation industry continues to grapple with high operating costs and fluctuating demand. The Authority’s monitoring of industry practices and discussions with airlines, travel agents, and relevant departments do not support the narrative that taxes are responsible for the December fare surge. As the sector seeks to recover from the festive season, the NCAA’s stance is likely to spark further debate on the factors driving airfare prices in Nigeria, with the focus shifting toward sustainable solutions to the industry’s challenges.
Comments are closed for this story.