Nigerians Must Work 37.6 Days to Buy a Plane Ticket, According to IATA Report

A new report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed that Nigerians need to work an average of 37.6 days to afford a plane ticket, underscoring the low affordability of air travel in the country.

The report, titled “The Value of Air Transport to Nigeria,” noted that despite a 43% drop in real airfares between 2011 and 2023, flying remains out of reach for most Nigerians. Globally, the cost of air travel has fallen by 70% over the past five decades, but high ticket prices in Nigeria continue to limit access to aviation’s economic and social benefits.

IATA reported that only 40 flights per 1,000 people were taken in 2023, in a nation of over 200 million people. The aviation industry directly employs 39,500 people and contributes $702 million (0.2% of GDP) to the economy. When indirect effects such as supply chains, tourism, and employee spending are included, the total impact rises to $2.5 billion, supporting about 216,700 jobs.

Tourism linked to air travel adds $454 million to GDP and provides 66,600 jobs, with international visitors spending about $760 million annually. In 2023, Nigerian airports handled 195,700 tonnes of air cargo, strengthening trade and e-commerce.

However, IATA warned that Nigeria’s international air connectivity has weakened since 2014, dropping 1.5% within Africa and 21% with other regions, emphasizing the need for improved aviation infrastructure and affordability.