According to some airline operators, the high exchange rate negatively impacting domestic airlines operation because major checks are carried out overseas and payments for such services made in foreign currency, whereas they earn their revenue in Naira.
The slide in the value of the naira since last year, prompted airlines to vote more funds from their meagre earnings on maintenance.
Also, in order not to jolt the domestic market, the operators were said to be reluctant to increase fares, fearing it could further shrink the number of air travellers as purchasing power has nose-dived due to prevailing economic crunch.
A recent report revealed that most Nigerians who hitherto travel by air now resort to other means of transportation to get to various destinations.
