Economic Downturn: Domestic Airlines Face Passenger Traffic Decline

Economic Downturn: Domestic Airlines Face Passenger Traffic Decline

LAGOS — Domestic airlines in Nigeria are grappling with a significant decline in passenger traffic due to the ongoing economic crisis…… CONTINUE READING

The downturn has adversely affected airline revenues and has become a major concern within the industry.

Data from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) shows that domestic air travel decreased from 9,473,813 passengers between January and July 2022 to 8,176,722 in 2023, representing a 13 percent drop.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also reported a decline in both revenue and non-revenue flights at the domestic terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the nation’s busiest airport. FAAN’s statistics reveal that MMIA handled 1,021,429 passengers in 2022, while 2023 saw a reduction to 781,894, marking a 23 percent decrease.

For the first five months of 2024, only 332,817 passengers traveled through MMIA.

Industry experts attribute this decline to rising airfares, worsening living conditions, and reduced disposable income. Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, emphasized that Nigeria’s economic situation significantly impacts the public’s ability and willingness to travel by air.

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