Domestic travelers in Nigeria paid 25% more for air travel in July 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to a new report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
The NBS’s Transport Fare Watch Report revealed that the average fare for a domestic flight increased to ₦98,561.74 in July 2024, up from ₦78,775.74 in July 2023.
The NBS highlighted, “In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes on a single journey was ₦98,561.74 in July 2024, showing an increase of 9.65% compared to the previous month (June 2024). On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 25.12% from ₦78,775.74 in July 2023.”
This price hike follows the federal government’s announcement last month that it would increase tax charges, despite ongoing complaints from the Airline Operators of Nigeria about multiple taxation.
While airfare prices surged in July, the report also noted a decline in the costs of other forms of transportation, including bus, motorcycle, and waterway journeys.
“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop decreased by 2.18% from ₦963.58 in June 2024 to ₦942.61 in July 2024. On a year-on-year basis, it declined by 29.46% from ₦1,336.29 in July 2023,” the NBS reported.
The report also indicated a slight increase in intercity bus fares. “The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys between cities per drop was ₦7,117.17 in July 2024, indicating an increase of 0.35% compared to ₦7,092.03 in June 2024.”
For motorcycle (Okada) transportation, the average fare was ₦483.33 in July 2024, a 1.22% increase from the previous month. However, on a year-on-year basis, the fare decreased by 25.20% from ₦646.12 in July 2023.
Water transport fares also saw a slight decline. “For water transport (waterway passenger transportation), the average fare paid in July 2024 was ₦1,403.06, indicating a decline of 0.44% on a monthly basis. On a year-on-year basis, it decreased by 0.26% from ₦1,406.70 in July 2023.”
The report also provided a state-by-state breakdown of transport fares, noting that the highest intercity bus fare was recorded in Anambra at ₦9,566.89, while the lowest was in Kwara at ₦5,518.38. For city bus journeys, Taraba recorded the highest fare at ₦1,457.28, while Adamawa had the lowest at ₦500.00.
