Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is facing serious challenges as passenger numbers continue to drop. The Acting Managing Director of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, revealed that air travel in 2025 has declined by 27% compared to the previous year. He warned that unless action is taken to reverse the trend, the survival of airlines and airports alike could be at risk.
Speaking at the Airport Business Summit and Expo held at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Uriesi stressed the urgent need to attract more people back to air travel. He urged collaboration between airports and airlines, saying the entire aviation ecosystem depends on the success of airline operations. “We are in trouble. We must find ways to get people flying again. No airline, no income. The money everyone talks about only exists because planes are flying,” he said.
Industry experts have attributed the sharp decline in air passengers to rising ticket prices, weak purchasing power, and economic hardships faced by many Nigerians. Captain Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, noted that the country’s current economic reality plays a major role in people’s travel decisions. He explained that if the economy were stronger, more people would travel quickly for business and leisure.
Sanusi also highlighted that the slump in tourism, rising cost of living, and exchange rate instability are forcing many potential passengers to explore cheaper alternatives. “The middle class is shrinking, and buying a plane ticket is becoming a luxury,” he said. “For many Nigerians, travelling from Lagos to Kano or Calabar now requires serious consideration.”
