Global conflicts push summer airfares beyond reach for Nigerians – Businessday NG
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Nigerian travellers are facing a spike in summer airfares as US–Iran tensions have led to several cancellations and last-minute itinerary shifts. For many, the dream of a summer getaway has been suspended, while others are rushing to secure remaining seats, further tightening an already squeezed market.
The surge in demand has wiped out “lower ticket inventories”, the industry’s term for cheaper economy seats. With these budget-friendly fares now exhausted, travellers are left with no choice but to purchase the highest-priced tickets, turning what was once a seasonal increase into a financial crisis for many families.
Read also: Airfares hold steady as new airlines offset jet fuel price surge
Aviation stakeholders warn that this is more than just seasonal inflation, but a reset of the market. Beyond the immediate surge in demand, the US–Iran conflict has introduced a “geopolitical premium” to every ticket departing from Lagos. Airlines are now transferring the costs of soaring fuel prices, disrupted airspaces, and longer, more complex flight routings directly to passengers.
A return economy ticket from Lagos to London for the peak summer window (July–September) now averages N1,35m to N2m. This represents a sharp 48 percent
increase at the top end from last year’s N1,35m ceiling.
North American routes lead price surge
Lagos to Atlanta now commands between N2.4m and N3.3m, a 50 percent jump over pre-crisis rates. Similarly, Lagos to Washington routes are trading at N1.7m to N2.5m, a 39 percent surge compared to the previous N1,8m high. Intra-Africa travel has also become expensive, threatening regional connectivity and trade.
A return economy ticket from Lagos to Nairobi has jumped to between N1.4m and N1.7m, marking a 55 percent increase from last year’s N1.1m peak. Flights from Lagos to South Africa have scaled to N950,000 to N1,8m, while Lagos to Cairo has seen one of the most volatile shifts, with prices ranging from N1.15m to N2.5m.
Daisi Olotu, Dees Travels & Tours Ltd group managing director, told BusinessDay that the US–Iran attacks are affecting summer bookings as many travellers are either rescheduling for later in the season or cancelling entirely. “Tickets to Europe and America are selling because nobody is ready to go to the Middle East,” Olotu said.
Jet fuel now accounts for up to 40 percent of airline costs. With oil prices above $100 per barrel and airspace restrictions forcing longer routes, passengers are bearing the brunt of the shock. Stakeholders note that while essential travel for education and corporate needs remains strong, leisure travel is softening as families downgrade their plans.
Susan Akporaiye, Topaz Travels and Tours managing director, confirmed that demand has shifted away from previously preferred hubs.
“Qatar, which used to be a preferred destination for summer travellers, has seen a shift. People are now looking elsewhere, and because of demand in these places, cheap fares sell out in two weeks rather than two months,” she said.
Akporaiye, the former president of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), added that the exchange rate volatility linked to global tensions is further compounding the crisis. For Nigerians, the UK, US, and Canada remain the most frequently visited summer destinations, though some African alternatives are gaining traction as travellers seek more affordable options.
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