The festive season is still months away, yet ticket prices are already sparking debate.
Two of Nigeria’s leading airlines, Air Peace and United Nigeria, have now pegged one-way economy fares from Lagos and Abuja to the South East and South South at ₦350,500.
They cover routes to Owerri, Enugu, Anambra, Port Harcourt, and Asaba.
Travellers flying back to Lagos and Abuja from these cities will also pay the same fare, as the airlines have already displayed the rates on their official booking platforms.
For many families planning Christmas trips, these figures hit hard.
Regional Fare Gaps Widen
Air Peace will charge the ₦350,500 rate from December 1, 2025 through January 30, 2026.
In contrast, United Nigeria will apply the same fare from December 11 to 31.
However, from January 1, 2026, United Nigeria will slash its one-way fares on selected routes — including Abuja to Asaba, Anambra, Port Harcourt, and Owerri — to ₦150,000.
Meanwhile, fares to northern destinations show a different picture.
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Air Peace lists most Lagos–Kano flights at ₦106,900, though a few dates spike to ₦350,500.
United Nigeria sets its Lagos–Kano ticket at ₦220,499.
Furthermore, Air Peace raises its Lagos–Yola fare from ₦240,200 to ₦350,500, while United Nigeria increases its Lagos–Sokoto ticket from ₦175,500 to ₦250,000.
Other Carriers Follow Suit
Other domestic airlines have also joined the trend.
From December 1, Ibom Air raises its Lagos–Uyo ticket from ₦152,700to ₦190,800.
Similarly, Arik Air pushes its Lagos–Port Harcourt fares up to ₦191,997 between December 10 and 28, before cutting them back to ₦140,617.
Ultimately, the pattern is clear: eastern and southern routes carry the steepest festive premiums, while northern destinations remain relatively cheaper.
As the holidays approach, travellers must now decide whether to pay these record-breaking fares or seek alternatives on road and rail.
