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FG Says Airfares were not Hiked

The Federal government has ruled out the possibility of increment in airfares as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika stated this recently at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while inspecting resumption of flights from the nation’s capital to Kano and other parts of the country.
He refuted claims that airfares had increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic stressing that since there was no physical distancing onboard airplanes, airfares would witness little or no change in prices.

Reports showed that Kano, Port Harcourt and Owerri airports resumed operations on Saturday, 11th July, 2020 joining Abuja and Lagos, which had resumed on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

Sirika also explained why physical distancing onboard flights was not mandatory.

On airfares, he said that there was no price increase in airfares because “I know that someone travelled at about N30,000, while another person told me it was N25,000 from Abuja to Lagos.

“So, I want to assume that even if the increase had happened, like I said earlier on during the COVID-19 briefing, it will be minimal that passengers can afford,” posited the aviation minister.

He also said that the purpose of the inspection, which was done alongside members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, was to ensure that the airports were opened in accordance with protocols established by PTF.

He said that the aviation authorities had done well by complying with the PTF COVID-19 protocols, as the airports were safe for operations. On why it was not mandatory to observe physical distancing onboard flights, Sirika said, “Because of the nature of the airplane, the aircraft cabin is hygienic enough once you have your mask on.

“So you are safe to remain sitted on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance. Airplanes are designed in such a way that the ambient air at altitudes is clean. It is not contaminated,” he st