The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, has said that Nigerians pay the cheapest domestic air fares in the world, despite widespread complaints about the rising cost of air travel in the country.
Onyema made this statement on Sunday during an interview on Arise Television, where he responded to concerns by passengers who believe flight tickets within Nigeria have become too expensive. According to him, public perception does not reflect the true situation when Nigerian air fares are compared with what passengers pay in other countries.
“Nigerians are paying the cheapest domestic air fares in the world,” Onyema said. “People complain, and I understand them, but if you compare what we charge here with what is charged abroad, you will see a big difference.”
He explained that in many countries, passengers pay much more for flights of similar distance and duration. Onyema gave an example of a one-hour flight abroad, which he said could cost more than 400 dollars.
“A one-hour flight costs over $400 abroad,” he said. “But in Nigeria, we still sell tickets for about N125,000, which is less than $60.”
According to Onyema, when fuel costs, aircraft maintenance, insurance, staff salaries, airport charges, and foreign exchange issues are considered, Nigerian airlines are operating under very difficult conditions. He said the current fare structure does not allow airlines to fully recover their costs.
He linked this situation to the frequent collapse of airlines in the country. “This is why the mortality rate of airlines in Nigeria is very high,” Onyema said. “Over 80 airlines have come and gone. They should allow airlines to breathe.”
Nigeria’s aviation sector has a long history of airline failures. Over the past few decades, many local airlines have shut down due to financial problems, poor management, high operating costs, and unstable government policies. Some well-known airlines that no longer exist include Nigeria Airways, ADC Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines, and First Nation Airways.
Despite these challenges, air fares in Nigeria are often regulated or influenced by public pressure and government intervention. Many passengers complain whenever ticket prices rise, especially during festive periods or peak travel seasons. Onyema said this pressure makes it difficult for airlines to charge fares that truly reflect their costs.
He argued that while passengers feel the burden of higher fares, airlines are also struggling to survive. “People think airlines are making too much money, but that is not true,” he said. “If airlines were making so much profit, they would not be collapsing one after the other.”
Onyema’s comments come at a time when air travel has become more important for Nigerians due to poor road conditions and security concerns on highways. Many travellers now prefer flying to long-distance road journeys, even though air tickets cost more than bus fares.
However, the increase in demand has not translated into strong profits for airlines. Operators say they face heavy taxes and charges from multiple government agencies. These include landing fees, parking charges, passenger service charges, and other regulatory costs.
The Air Peace boss called for better understanding and support for local airlines. He said government policies should focus on helping airlines grow, rather than pushing them out of business.
“They should allow airlines to breathe,” he said again, stressing the need for policies that support sustainability in the aviation sector.
Air Peace is currently Nigeria’s largest airline by fleet size and number of routes. The airline operates several domestic routes and has expanded into regional and international flights, including destinations in West Africa, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Onyema, a lawyer and businessman, founded Air Peace in 2013. Since then, the airline has positioned itself as a major player in Nigerian aviation, often stepping in during periods of air transport crisis. Air Peace has also been involved in special operations, such as evacuating Nigerians from crisis zones and transporting election materials.
Despite its size, Air Peace has also faced criticism from passengers over delays, cancellations, and fare increases. Onyema has often defended the airline, saying many delays are caused by factors beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather, airport infrastructure problems, and air traffic control issues.
There have also been calls for investment in airport infrastructure and local aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities. Currently, most Nigerian airlines maintain their aircraft abroad, which adds to their costs.
As the debate continues, Onyema insists that Nigerian passengers are still getting good value when compared to global standards. He urged Nigerians to look at the bigger picture and understand the challenges facing the aviation industry.
“We must compare ourselves with what is happening globally,” he said. “When you do that, you will see that Nigerians are actually paying very cheap fares.”
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