Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has defended airlines against criticism over skyrocketing ticket prices on domestic routes, warning that reducing fares could hurt operators.
The Senate chamber turned fiery on Wednesday as lawmakers confronted the unprecedented surge in domestic airfares, with some routes in the South-South and South-East now fetching over N300,000 for a one-way ticket—a shocking 150 per cent increase in fares. The Abuja–Lagos corridor has been particularly hard-hit, with ticket prices ranging from N400,000 to N600, leaving thousands of travellers stranded and furious.
Senator Abdulfatai described the situation as “intolerable,” calling for immediate engagement with airline operators to address the sharp increases. Senator Adamu Aliero joined the chorus, labeling the fare hikes “outrageous,” while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi noted that some increases were approaching 400 per cent and criticized the government for delaying the establishment of a national carrier to stabilize domestic air travel.
But it was Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who turned heads and sparked controversy by breaking ranks with his colleagues. Defending the airlines, Kalu argued that the spike in ticket prices is a direct result of mounting economic pressures facing operators. He highlighted the soaring costs of aviation fuel, imported spare parts, and general operational expenses, warning that enforcing reduced ticket prices could destabilize the aviation industry.
“Reducing the ticket prices will affect airline operators,” Kalu told the Senate, emphasizing that the high maintenance and fuel costs leave airlines with minimal room to lower fares. He cautioned that artificial fare reductions could compromise airline sustainability—and even affect safety and reliability within the sector.
Kalu’s stance has drawn mixed reactions. While some industry experts agree that operational costs are a legitimate factor, many Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage, accusing the Senator of siding with airlines at the expense of travellers struggling with the holiday season’s travel demands.
Despite the backlash, Kalu remained firm. “Spare parts are costly, everything is high,” he said, stressing that understanding the economic realities of airline operations is essential before rushing into interventions that could backfire.
The debate highlights a deeper tension in Nigeria’s aviation sector: balancing affordability for passengers with the financial viability of airlines. Analysts note that without urgent reforms—including exploring subsidies, incentives, and strategic planning—ticket prices may remain prohibitive, threatening travel accessibility across key domestic routes.
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