By Seun Ibiyemi
Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have urged the Federal Government to reduce airport charges by 50 percent and grant tax incentives to aviation companies to make flights more affordable during the Christmas season.
The call followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Obinna Aguocha (LP-Abia) at Thursday’s plenary session.
Aguocha highlighted that soaring airline ticket prices are affecting millions of Nigerians, including the cost of air ambulance services, and hindering family reunions during the festive period.
“The steep rise in domestic air travel has created barriers preventing many from returning to their ancestral homes, where shared laughter and family connections are meant to thrive,” Aguocha said.
He urged the House to ensure that airlines balance profitability with social responsibility.
The motion also recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) prioritise the allocation of foreign exchange at concessionary rates for airline operators to ease operational costs.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu directed the House Committee on Aviation to meet with airline operators and the Aviation Minister, reporting back within a week with recommendations for further action.
Aguocha appealed for government support similar to interventions provided to road transporters last year, stressing that affordable air travel is essential for national connectivity and family reunification.
The House’s intervention comes amid growing public concerns over rising flight costs, which threaten to make festive travel prohibitively expensive for many Nigerian families.