By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Nigerians planning Easter travel are facing a hike in transportation as airfares on major domestic routes across Nigeria have surged ahead of the Easter holiday, with some one way tickets climbing as high as N253,000, far above typical price ranges.
Reports shows that fares on the busy Lagos–Abuja route, which usually range between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000 when booked early, have risen significantly as demand intensifies in the days leading up to Easter.
Many Nigerians journey across the country to celebrate the Christian holiday with family and loved ones causing ticket prices to increase due to a combination of high demand, limited seat availability, and last-minute bookings.
In recent months, average domestic airfares have been elevated, with many routes recording prices above ₦130,000 even outside festive periods due to rising operational costs, including aviation fuel, foreign exchange pressures, and maintenance expenses, all of which influence ticket pricing.
A comparable pattern has emerged within the road transport sector, with fares rising across major motor parks in Lagos and other key cities nationwide.
Transport operators say the increase is driven by higher passenger turnout, rising fuel costs, and the seasonal rush. Key inter state routes such as Lagos to Abuja, fares have increased up to N60,000 to N70,000 compared to regular periods.
The development has left many travelers weighing their options, as both air and road transport costs continue to rise simultaneously.
Some Nigerians say the surge in fares is forcing them to reconsider their travel plans as some airfares now charge double the usual rates with travelers are either turning to road transport as an alternative or postponing trips altogether.
Others, however, say they have little choice but to travel despite the higher costs due to family and holiday commitments.