Domestic air transport fares increased by 66.36 percent in the last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
This was stated in its most recent report, cited by BizWatch Nigeria titled “Transport Fare Watch (February 2023).”
According to the Bureau, the average fare paid by air passengers for single journeys on specified routes decreased by 0.18% month on month, from N74,702.70 in January 2023 to N74,571.62 in February 2023.
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 66.36% from N44,825.04 in February 2022,” NBS said via the report.
“Transport Fare Watch for February 2023 covers the following categories: bus journey within the city per drop constant route; bus journey intercity (state route) charge per person; air fare charge for specified routes single journey; journey by motorcycle (Okada) per drop; and water way passenger transport.
“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop decreased by 0.47% in February 2023 to N647.66 from N650.70 in January 2023, on a year-on-year basis, the average fare paid rose by 26.07% from N513.72 in February 2022.
“In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop declined to N3,990.70 in February 2023, indicating a growth rate of – 0.19% on a month-on-month basis compared to the N3,998.42 in January 2023. On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 4.02% from N3,836.45 in February 2022.
“In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey, decreased by 0.18% on a month-on-month basis from N74,702.70 in January 2023 to N74,571.62 in February 2023. On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 66.36% from N44,825.04 in February 2022.
“The average fare paid on Okada transportation was N461.28 in February 2023, which was 1.07% lower than the rate recorded in January 2023 (N466.25). On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 21.67% when compared with February 2022 (N379.12).
“In addition, the average fare paid for water transport (waterway passenger transportation) in February 2023 stood at N1,029.47, showing an increase of 12.74% on a year-on-year basis from N913.13 in February 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it declined by 0.33% from N1,032.84 in January 2023.”
State analysis
According to state profile analysis, Taraba State had the highest bus journey fare within the city (per drop constant route) of N870, followed by Bauchi with N800 and Borno State had the lowest average fare of N500, followed by Anambra with N515.
The highest fare for intercity bus travel (state route charged per person fare) in February 2023 was N6,200 in Abuja, followed by N5,725.00 in Adamawa. Kwara had the lowest fares at N2,000.00, followed by Zamfara at N2,567.
Kebbi had the highest air transport fare (for specified routes single journeys) in February 2023, with N80,500, followed by Bayelsa with N80,000. Abia, on the other hand, had the lowest with N69,850, followed by Niger with N70,000.
Similarly, Delta had the highest water transport fare of N3,500.00, followed by Rivers with N3,200.00, and Borno had the lowest with N360.00, followed by Kebbi with N425.00.
According to an analysis of transport fare categories by zone, the North-East had the highest transport fares of bus journeys within the city in February 2023, with N698.33, followed by the South-South with N660.58, and the South-East had the lowest with N616.88.
The South-West recorded the highest intercity bus fare of N4,255.83, followed by the North-East with N4,130.83, and the North-West with N3,816.71.
The North-East had the highest air transport fare in February 2023, with N76,350.00, followed by the South-East with N75,270.00, and the North-Central had the lowest, with N72,357.14.
Also, Okada commuters paid the highest fare in the North-Central with N528.17, followed by the South-West with N518.35, and the North-West with N332.86.
The NBS also stated that the South-South had the highest fare paid with N2,425.83, followed by the South-West with N950.00, and the North-East with N656.67.
