FAAN blames airfare hike on exchange rate, fuel price

The Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) has attributed the recent increase in airfares to the increase in the cost of aviation fuel and the exchange rate.

Mr Kunle Akinbode, Head of Cooperative Communications at Port Harcourt International Airport, stated this in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency, on Monday in Port Harcourt.

According to Akinbode, aviation fuel that used to sell for around N250 per litre is now selling for more than N400 per litre, adding that the increase also includes prices for spare parts which have risen sharply in recent times.

“The FAAN and other regulatory agencies in the aviation industry are aware of the plight of airport users, especially with regard to rising airline airfares.

“Currently aviation fuel sells for over N400 per litre, all aircraft components/parts needed for operations are imported so this has invariably affected airfare.

On how the new fare is affecting passenger patronage, Akinbode noted that patronage was considerably good regardless of the high flight fare.

“Nigerians will continue to fly no matter the cost because speed and safety are a huge advantage of air travel over the road,” he said.

One of the air passengers, who spoke with, urged the Federal Government to extend its railway infrastructure development to the South-South region of the country.

“If we had an alternative like rail, just like in other parts of the country, many of us would prefer to use the train,” said Johnson Ikor, an airline passenger.