By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy, and Development (FENRAD) has condemned the recent hikes in air ticket prices to the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, ahead of the 2025 Christmas celebrations.

The group expresses discontent through a press statement signed by Executive Director Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, dated 9 December 2025.

In the strongly-worded statement, FENRAD revealed that the return tickets to some cities in the regions had risen to about N450,000. It cited Owerri, Asaba, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar among the affected cities.

FENRAD also complained about the fare hike as a recurring annual problem constituting threats and a burden to commuters from “reconnecting with their roots” during the festive season.

“Reports reaching FENRAD indicate that return tickets to cities such as Enugu, Owerri, Asaba, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Calabar now cost as high as ?450,000, an amount that is not only outrageous but also blatantly exclusionary. This pricing trend—occurring annually around festive seasons—amounts to institutionalised economic discrimination against travellers to the South-East and South-South.”

The statement further reads:

“It is unacceptable that airline operators continue to take undue advantage of increased seasonal travel demand to exploit Nigerians, particularly those returning home to celebrate with their families. The cost of travel—whether by road or air—has risen astronomically, pushing millions of citizens into hardship and preventing many from reconnecting with their roots during this culturally significant period.”

To salvage the situation, FENRAD has urged the federal government and relevant agencies, including, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Assembly, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Aviation Committee of the National Assembly, to investigate the current pricing model of airlines and see through the implementation of the consumer protection laws of the country, and punish defaulters where necessary.

“The National Assembly must step in with stronger oversight to ensure fair competition, prevent exploitative practices, and protect the rights of citizens who rely on air travel for safety and convenience—especially given the insecurity challenges that plague road transport routes.”