What you’ll pay to fly Lagos-Abuja in May

#1 · May 13, 2026, 3:39 pm

Quote from Bose_O on May 13, 2026, 3:39 pm

The Lagos–Abuja air traffic route has long stood as Nigeria’s busiest domestic flight corridor, serving as the country’s primary aviation link between its commercial hub and the seat of government.

This position is further supported by Remi Jibodu, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited and Head of Aeronautical & Cargo Services, who told Nairametrics in an exclusive interview that the route consistently records the highest passenger traffic at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), which handles an average of 60 to 65 daily departures.

With Nigeria’s aviation sector facing renewed cost pressure from rising jet fuel prices linked to global energy tensions, attention has increasingly shifted to how external shocks are feeding into domestic airfare levels. For May travelers, the Lagos–Abuja route offers a clear snapshot of this shift.

What the data is saying
A Nairametrics review of booking platforms operated by major airlines serving the route shows that one-way economy fares for May (May 13–31) currently range between N104,000 and N162,500, depending on airline and travel date. The analysis was corroborated with airline ticket agents who process daily bookings.

For instance, Air Peace listed economy tickets at about N135,500, while Ibom Air ranged between approximately N143,000 and N162,500. Green Africa Airways offered lower entry fares between about N114,000 and N120,000, while Max Air recorded fares around N115,000. Overland Airways, on the other hand, was priced at about N160,000 for economy seats on the route.
Beyond economy class, one-way business and premium fares were significantly higher across carriers. Air Peace business class was priced at about N287,000, while Arik Air business tickets went for around N218,000.
Ibom Air’s premium class, which sits above business, was observed at as high as N352,000 on selected dates.
Meanwhile, Nsikak Udoh, a ticketing agent who spoke to Nairametrics, noted that airfare pricing on the route is highly time sensitive. He explained that bookings made closer to departure dates typically cost more than early reservations.

How fares have changed over time
Lagos–Abuja airfares remained relatively stable through most of 2025 and into early 2026 before seasonal demand and rising operating costs disrupted the pattern.

Between May 2025 and January–February 2026, economy fares largely stayed within the N100,000 to N120,000 range, according to booking data and airline ticket agents. However, the December 2025 yuletide rush pushed fares higher, with tickets on the route rising to about N150,000 to N200,000, as festive demand tightened seat availability.
That spike coincided with a broader increase in global aviation fuel costs following geopolitical tensions that escalated around February 28, 2026, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, alongside disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.

The disruption drove jet fuel prices higher globally, with Nigeria experiencing sharper increases. Jet A1 rose from about N950–N1,000 per litre in February 2026 to over N2,500 per litre at peak levels, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) alleged that prices crossed N3,000 per litre at some point.
By May 2026, these cost pressures are now reflected in domestic fares. Economy tickets on the Lagos–Abuja route have adjusted upward to up to N162,500, indicating a higher pricing floor even after seasonal demand pressures eased.

Airline pressure and market disruption
Rising aviation fuel costs earlier in the year triggered tensions in Nigeria’s airline industry, with operators warning that sustained increases in Jet A1 prices were making domestic flight operations increasingly difficult to sustain.

In April 2026, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) threatened to suspend flight operations nationwide, citing what it described as an unsustainable surge in Jet A1 prices, which it said had risen from about N900 per litre in February to over N3,000 per litre within weeks.
The association argued that the increase was disconnected from global crude oil trends and was eroding airline viability despite efforts to maintain operations.

The planned shutdown, initially scheduled for April 20, 2026, prompted intervention from the Federal Government, which appealed to operators to suspend the action to prevent widespread disruption to air travel and economic activity. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, subsequently held engagements with airline operators aimed at stabilising the sector.
Following the discussions, the Federal Government approved a 30% relief on statutory fees owed by Nigerian airlines to aviation agencies to cushion the impact of the rising Jet A1 fuel crisis. The relief covered accumulated obligations such as parking charges payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational fees owed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other regulatory charges.

In addition, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) introduced temporary indicative pricing for aviation fuel, setting benchmarks of N1,760 to N1,988 per litre in Lagos, alongside similar ranges for Abuja. Airlines were also granted a 30-day credit window for Jet A1 purchases as part of broader stabilisation measures.

Beyond policy responses, airlines have also begun adjusting operations in response to cost pressures. Rano Air recently temporarily suspended some flight routes, citing a sharp rise in Jet A1 aviation fuel prices that significantly increased operating costs. Similarly, Air Peace earlier reduced the frequency of its Abuja–London operations to three weekly flights, attributing the adjustment to fuel supply constraints.

Marketers pushback and industry reality
Jet fuel marketers, however, rejected claims of extreme price spikes such as the N3,000 per litre allegation, insisting that while prices increased significantly during the period, such figures did not reflect actual market transactions.

Industry stakeholders argue that the core pressure point remains structural, not temporary. Adeyinka Adewole, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Raven Energy Nigeria, described the government’s interventions as short-term relief measures that do not address underlying cost drivers.

“This is a short-term relief introduced by the government, but it has not completely eradicated the underlying factors that determine the landing cost of Jet A1,” Adewole told Nairametrics.
He explained that aviation fuel pricing is still largely anchored on international benchmarks and foreign exchange movements.

“Jet fuel landing cost is determined by international Platts pricing and the USD/NGN exchange rate. Even when local supply improves, we still buy in dollars from Dangote Refinery, which means FX pressure continues to reflect in final pricing,” he said.
Adewole also cautioned that attempts to enforce non-cost-reflective pricing could backfire on supply stability.

“The industry is heavily deregulated. Marketers are not NGOs — they cannot sell below sustainable cost. If pricing becomes unviable, supply will naturally tighten,” he warned.
Marketers further noted that without deeper structural reforms, including sustainable pricing mechanisms and improved access to risk management tools, volatility in jet fuel costs is likely to remain a recurring feature of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

https://nairametrics.com/2026/05/13/how-much-youll-pay-to-fly-lagos-abuja-in-may/

The Lagos–Abuja air traffic route has long stood as Nigeria’s busiest domestic flight corridor, serving as the country’s primary aviation link between its commercial hub and the seat of government.

This position is further supported by Remi Jibodu, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited and Head of Aeronautical & Cargo Services, who told Nairametrics in an exclusive interview that the route consistently records the highest passenger traffic at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), which handles an average of 60 to 65 daily departures.

With Nigeria’s aviation sector facing renewed cost pressure from rising jet fuel prices linked to global energy tensions, attention has increasingly shifted to how external shocks are feeding into domestic airfare levels. For May travelers, the Lagos–Abuja route offers a clear snapshot of this shift.

What the data is saying
A Nairametrics review of booking platforms operated by major airlines serving the route shows that one-way economy fares for May (May 13–31) currently range between N104,000 and N162,500, depending on airline and travel date. The analysis was corroborated with airline ticket agents who process daily bookings.

For instance, Air Peace listed economy tickets at about N135,500, while Ibom Air ranged between approximately N143,000 and N162,500. Green Africa Airways offered lower entry fares between about N114,000 and N120,000, while Max Air recorded fares around N115,000. Overland Airways, on the other hand, was priced at about N160,000 for economy seats on the route.
Beyond economy class, one-way business and premium fares were significantly higher across carriers. Air Peace business class was priced at about N287,000, while Arik Air business tickets went for around N218,000.
Ibom Air’s premium class, which sits above business, was observed at as high as N352,000 on selected dates.
Meanwhile, Nsikak Udoh, a ticketing agent who spoke to Nairametrics, noted that airfare pricing on the route is highly time sensitive. He explained that bookings made closer to departure dates typically cost more than early reservations.

How fares have changed over time
Lagos–Abuja airfares remained relatively stable through most of 2025 and into early 2026 before seasonal demand and rising operating costs disrupted the pattern.

Between May 2025 and January–February 2026, economy fares largely stayed within the N100,000 to N120,000 range, according to booking data and airline ticket agents. However, the December 2025 yuletide rush pushed fares higher, with tickets on the route rising to about N150,000 to N200,000, as festive demand tightened seat availability.
That spike coincided with a broader increase in global aviation fuel costs following geopolitical tensions that escalated around February 28, 2026, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, alongside disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.

The disruption drove jet fuel prices higher globally, with Nigeria experiencing sharper increases. Jet A1 rose from about N950–N1,000 per litre in February 2026 to over N2,500 per litre at peak levels, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) alleged that prices crossed N3,000 per litre at some point.
By May 2026, these cost pressures are now reflected in domestic fares. Economy tickets on the Lagos–Abuja route have adjusted upward to up to N162,500, indicating a higher pricing floor even after seasonal demand pressures eased.

Airline pressure and market disruption
Rising aviation fuel costs earlier in the year triggered tensions in Nigeria’s airline industry, with operators warning that sustained increases in Jet A1 prices were making domestic flight operations increasingly difficult to sustain.

In April 2026, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) threatened to suspend flight operations nationwide, citing what it described as an unsustainable surge in Jet A1 prices, which it said had risen from about N900 per litre in February to over N3,000 per litre within weeks.
The association argued that the increase was disconnected from global crude oil trends and was eroding airline viability despite efforts to maintain operations.

The planned shutdown, initially scheduled for April 20, 2026, prompted intervention from the Federal Government, which appealed to operators to suspend the action to prevent widespread disruption to air travel and economic activity. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, subsequently held engagements with airline operators aimed at stabilising the sector.
Following the discussions, the Federal Government approved a 30% relief on statutory fees owed by Nigerian airlines to aviation agencies to cushion the impact of the rising Jet A1 fuel crisis. The relief covered accumulated obligations such as parking charges payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational fees owed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other regulatory charges.

In addition, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) introduced temporary indicative pricing for aviation fuel, setting benchmarks of N1,760 to N1,988 per litre in Lagos, alongside similar ranges for Abuja. Airlines were also granted a 30-day credit window for Jet A1 purchases as part of broader stabilisation measures.

Beyond policy responses, airlines have also begun adjusting operations in response to cost pressures. Rano Air recently temporarily suspended some flight routes, citing a sharp rise in Jet A1 aviation fuel prices that significantly increased operating costs. Similarly, Air Peace earlier reduced the frequency of its Abuja–London operations to three weekly flights, attributing the adjustment to fuel supply constraints.

Marketers pushback and industry reality
Jet fuel marketers, however, rejected claims of extreme price spikes such as the N3,000 per litre allegation, insisting that while prices increased significantly during the period, such figures did not reflect actual market transactions.

Industry stakeholders argue that the core pressure point remains structural, not temporary. Adeyinka Adewole, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Raven Energy Nigeria, described the government’s interventions as short-term relief measures that do not address underlying cost drivers.

“This is a short-term relief introduced by the government, but it has not completely eradicated the underlying factors that determine the landing cost of Jet A1,” Adewole told Nairametrics.
He explained that aviation fuel pricing is still largely anchored on international benchmarks and foreign exchange movements.

“Jet fuel landing cost is determined by international Platts pricing and the USD/NGN exchange rate. Even when local supply improves, we still buy in dollars from Dangote Refinery, which means FX pressure continues to reflect in final pricing,” he said.
Adewole also cautioned that attempts to enforce non-cost-reflective pricing could backfire on supply stability.

“The industry is heavily deregulated. Marketers are not NGOs — they cannot sell below sustainable cost. If pricing becomes unviable, supply will naturally tighten,” he warned.
Marketers further noted that without deeper structural reforms, including sustainable pricing mechanisms and improved access to risk management tools, volatility in jet fuel costs is likely to remain a recurring feature of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

https://nairametrics.com/2026/05/13/how-much-youll-pay-to-fly-lagos-abuja-in-may/