We Weren’t Informed Of Airfare Increase – FG

The Federal Government says it has not been informed of the hike in air fares effected by airline operators.

Domestic airlines have hiked their fares by about 100 per cent, with a one-way economy ticket selling for over N50,000.

• Passengers lament increase in air fares
• Hard times for passengers as airlines raise fares by 100%

Speaking with Daily Trust, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, stated though air fares had been deregulated and determined by the market forces, each airline was supposed to file their new prices and the reasons for the increment to the agency.

He said, “It is an individual airline, not as a group that can make that decision (increase air fares). You cannot make that decision as AON, that’s anti-competition but each airline on its own can adjust the air fare but they must file with NCAA the reason for the increase in air fares before it comes into effect. As I said the air fares are deregulated. We do not regulate air fares.”

He, however, promised to confer with the airlines and check if the reasons cited for the increase were genuine.

Daily Trust reports that this is coming after the airline operators revealed through a statement that they were experiencing operational challenges which have majorly been responsible for the numerous flight delays and cancellations.