The economic challenges in Nigeria have led to a sharp drop in passenger traffic at major airports, including Lagos's Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) and Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a new report reveals. Statistics from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) show a drastic 60% decline in international travel, as only 816,000 passengers departed from Nigeria in 2024, compared to 2.04 million in 2023 from Q1 to Q3.
The high cost of foreign currency, particularly the U.S. dollar, has significantly impacted travel expenses for Nigerians, limiting the number of people who typically travel abroad for leisure or short vacations. According to the report, airline ticket prices have skyrocketed by over 600% in recent years, making international travel prohibitive. An economy ticket to the United States, for instance, has surged from N350,000 before May 2023 to between N2.7 million and N3 million.
Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma, President of the Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), noted that travel has dropped by 40 to 50% due to the country’s broader economic struggles. Many Nigerians are now opting for cheaper alternatives, such as local vacations or visits to nearby West African countries, where they can travel by bus or car. “It’s unfortunate, but this is our current reality,” Nwokoma commented, expressing hope for an economic turnaround that would enable more families to afford travel.
The cost of domestic flights has also surged, with tickets from Lagos to Abuja exceeding N200,000 and those to the South East surpassing N300,000. Nwokoma noted that with essential bills like school fees, many families can no longer afford the high travel costs, a stark indication of the economic hardship facing the nation.
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