The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified that the surge in domestic airfares during December was not caused by government taxes, but by market-driven demand, particularly on high-traffic festive routes. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, said the fare increase is a yearly trend, also reflected in higher transport, accommodation, and food costs.
Addressing claims by some airline operators, Achimugu emphasized that no domestic airline pays as many as 18 taxes, calling such assertions misleading. He highlighted that airlines themselves admitted taxes were not responsible for December fare spikes, noting that tickets for short domestic flights sometimes reached ₦500,000 despite no increase in taxes or jet fuel prices.
Achimugu also commended the support provided to airlines by President Bola Tinubu, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and NCAA DG Capt. Chris Najomo, including access to dry-leased aircraft. He urged the public to separate market forces from government actions, stressing that the airfare hikes were not a result of policy or taxation.
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