By Elizabeth Adegbesan
Domestic air travel fares rose by 20.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to N157,552 in May 2026 from N130,361 in May 2025.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its latest Transport Fare Watch which showed increases in fares across other transport categories.
The NBS stated: “In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for a specified route (single journey) was N157,552.19 in May 2026.
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 20.86 percent from N130,361.85 in May 2025.”
Analysing air transport charges for specified routes (single journey), the Bureau said Kano State recorded the highest average fare at N184,139.29, followed by Lagos State at N176,971.65. The lowest fares were recorded in Gombe State (N135,800.61) and Nasarawa State (N138,999.14).
On other transport categories, the NBS said:“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop was N1,431.25 in May 2026.
“On a YoY basis, the average fare recorded a significant increase of 38.63 percent compared to the N1,032.46 paid in May 2025.
“In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for an intercity bus journey per drop stood at N9,699.55 in May 2026.
“On a YoY basis, the average fare rose by 21.89 percent from N7,957.41 in May 2025.
“The average transport fare paid for Okada transportation stood at N1,072.51 in May 2026.
“On a YoY basis, the average fare rose by 52.45 percent from N703.54 in May 2025.
“For water transport (waterway passenger transportation), the average fare paid in May 2026 was N2,276.48.
“On a YoY basis, it increased by 30.88 percent from N1,739.32 in May 2025.”
