News
Domestic Airlines Increase Fares By 100%
After a meeting in Lagos, domestic airline operators have resolved to increase airfares by 100percent with effect from next week, March 1.
The increment would be across the board.
The resolution adopted by all the domestic operators sees the least economy ticket now selling for N50,000, instead of the previous N22,000 for an hour flight.
There are indications that some of the airlines have already fixed some of the fares that will come into effect on March 1.
Investigation revealed that an economy class domestic ticket on Max Air outbound Jos to Abuja from March 1, 2022, sells at ¦ 50,000, while Green Africa Airlines’ Lagos to PortHarcourt goes for ¦ 35,000 as opposed to its current ¦ 16,500 fare.
Green Africa will sell its Owerri to Abuja flight tickets at ¦ 35,000, while Air Peace Lagos to Abuja will sell at ¦ 50,000.
Equally, Air Peace will sell Lagos to Benin return ticket at ¦ 105,000.
Azman Air flight from Abuja to Kano from the same March 1 sells at ¦ 50,000, while Overland Airways Akure to Abuja will go for the same ¦ 50,000.
Other airlines, namely, Dana, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors will also raise their ticket prices by 100percent.
The airlines, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), had issued a statement complaining about the current high cost of aviation fuel.
They revealed that “Aviation fuel cost above N410 per litre in Lagos, N422 in Abuja and Port Harcourt, and N429 in Kano, while the dollar, which sells for between N580 to N600 is in short supply.”
The airlines also expressed anger at the “Unavailability of forex for spare parts and maintenance.
“Airlines carry out most of their activities in dollars, which today, sells for between N580 to N600, and is in short supply. Nigeria’s domestic airlines are in a ‘life and death struggle to secure the Forex’ they need to acquire their spare parts to maintain their aircraft.
“This is a major influence on how quickly a grounded aircraft can be fixed and restored to its flight schedule, which in turn has a huge impact on the schedule reliability of the domestic airlines,” AON said.
As of the time of filing this report, the civil aviation regulatory authority, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has not issued any statement on the new fares.
A source within the authority, however, said airfares have since been “deregulated by NCAA, leaving market forces to determine the price.
“NCAA only intervenes when an airline fixes ridiculously low airfares. That can compromise safety standards as operations of any airline is capital intensive,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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