A new report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the amount charged by airlines for airfare climbed by 96.87 per cent amidst the incessant rise in the price of aviation fuel.

NBS, in a report released on Monday, revealed that the average fare rose to N72,690.54 in September 2022 from N36,922.97 in September 2021.

The report further stated that airfare climbed by 11.76 per cent, from N65,041.89 in August 2022 to N72,690.54 in September 2022.   

“In air travels fare, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey increased by 11.76 per cent on a month-on-month from N65,041.89 in August 2022 to N72,690.54 in September 2022. On a year-on-year, the fare rose by 96.87 per cent from N36,922.97 in September 2021,” the report stated.

According to data from the report, the average rate that commuters pay for bus rides within the city per drop increased by 2.19 per cent month over month, from N602.48 in August 2022 to N615.69 in August and September 2022.

This follows the increase in the price of aviation fuel. Recall that aircraft operators threatened to shut down operations in May due to the constant increase in the price of aviation fuel from N160 to N900 per litre.

To avoid further disruptions in the aviation industry, the House of Representatives ruled in May that six million litres of aviation fuel be sold to airline operators at the rate of N480 per litre for the next three months.