The Digest:
The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiorah Okonkwo, has disclosed that domestic airlines pay approximately 18 different taxes on a single air ticket. He urged the National Assembly to intervene, stating that reducing these levies would directly lead to more affordable flight prices for Nigerians.
Key Points:
- Okonkwo estimated that up to 70% of a ticket's cost goes to various government agencies through taxation.
- He called on the legislature to address the "multiple taxations" plaguing the industry, which are "legislative in nature."
- The chairman advised passengers to book early to access lower fares, acknowledging current price concerns.
- His appeal follows a Senate summons for Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to explain the sharp surge in domestic airfares.
- Minister Keyamo previously attributed high fares to aircraft scarcity and insufficient maintenance infrastructure, avoiding mention of taxes.
- In a related development, ECOWAS has announced a prohibition on air ticket taxes across member states' airports from January 2026 to boost affordability and integration.
- The industry stance highlights a growing clash between airline operational viability and government revenue generation.
Sources: The Cable, Business Day
