House of Representatives has asked federal government to lower aviation taxes by half to help reduce the rising cost of local flights during the festive season.
Gatekeepers News reports that the request followed a motion presented on Thursday by Obi Aguocha of the Labour Party.
Aguocha raised alarm over the exorbitant airfare rates, saying many Nigerians are struggling to travel home for Christmas. He warned that the high prices are affecting cultural traditions and family gatherings.
While acknowledging challenges faced by airlines including costly aviation fuel and unstable currency, he said pricing must reflect national interest.
He added that profit-making “should not come at the expense of the cultural bonds that define us as Nigerians” and called on aviation regulators to act.
Aguocha said reducing travel costs would show social commitment and assure citizens that going home for the holidays should be possible for everyone.
He also recalled that the federal government previously stepped in to stabilise road transport prices and argued that aviation deserves similar intervention.
During the discussions, several lawmakers supported the motion but differed on the reasons behind the fare hikes. Clement Jimbo of the APC said airlines should be checked for unjustified increases and asked for the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, to explain the continuous rise in prices.
Auwalu Gwalabe of the PDP said landing fees and fuel prices have increased sharply and called for regulators to lower operational charges.
Mark Esset of APC accused airlines of taking advantage of passengers during festive periods and noted that insecurity on major roads has pushed more people to travel by air.
Ngozi Okolie said improving road networks would ease pressure on air travel. Jonathan Gaza of the SDP cautioned against heavy regulation, saying Nigeria’s capitalist system and the high cost of imported spare parts must be considered.
Minority leader Kingsley Chinda rejected calls for a subsidy and said insecurity on highways is driving more people away from road travel.
He said, “The pressure on the airlines is massive because the roads are not safe. We should be talking about road safety and addressing the root cause.”
Sada Soli of the APC said airline subsidies are rare globally and pointed to high maintenance and operating costs as major contributors to rising fares.
Deputy minority whip Ibrahim Isiaka backed efforts to reduce airline expenses, saying operational costs make up a large share of their spending.
At the end of the debate, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu approved an amendment directing the federal government to cut aviation taxes by 50 percent and reduce airport charges for the festive period.
Keyamo had previously linked the high cost of domestic flights to aircraft shortages and limited maintenance infrastructure, noting that the government does not control ticket pricing.
Obiorah Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, also urged lawmakers to address multiple taxation, which he said plays a major role in the high ticket costs.
