Nigerians have taken to social media in frustration and disbelief after flight prices within Europe went viral — with some international tickets as low as $13 — while a local flight from Lagos to Owerri is priced at a staggering $126 (₦190,000).
According to trending comparisons:
-
Spain to Germany: $25
-
Germany to UK: $20
-
UK to Netherlands: £18 (~$22)
-
Portugal to Netherlands: €38 (~$41)
-
UK to France: £13 (~$16)
Meanwhile, flying from Lagos to Owerri — both cities within Nigeria and separated by just over an hour of airtime — costs more than five of those European flights combined.
“They keep saying abroad is more expensive than Nigeria. How does it make sense that I can fly across multiple countries in Europe for less than what it takes to fly within my own country?” lamented one X (formerly Twitter) user.
Analysts say the local price surge is due to several factors including fuel costs, limited competition, forex challenges, and poor infrastructure. Still, for everyday Nigerians, these explanations don’t justify the sharp contrast.
“$126 from Lagos to Owerri? That’s more than UK to Netherlands, and they give you in-flight snacks too!” another commenter joked.
As economic pressures mount in Nigeria — from inflation to rising costs of living — the exorbitant domestic airfare is becoming a symbol of broader frustrations with governance, infrastructure, and inequality.
While budget airlines in Europe continue to offer competitive fares due to strong regulation, public transport integration, and competition, Nigeria's aviation sector remains under strain — with prices often inaccessible for the average citizen.
For many Nigerians trying to “manage” locally, the recent revelation is both ironic and painful: that traveling across four countries in Europe could cost less than a one-hour flight within Nigeria.
“This country is not expensive because it’s developed. It’s expensive because it’s disorganized,” one frustrated traveler concluded.
Comments
Post a Comment