Nigeria Named Among World’s Most Expensive Countries for Air Travel as IATA Raises Alarm

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Nigeria’s aviation sector has come under renewed international scrutiny after the International Air Transport Association identified the country among African nations with aviation charges significantly above the global average, intensifying concerns over the rising cost of air travel, operational pressure on airlines, and weakening regional connectivity. The warning emerged during the 2026 Focus Africa Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where aviation stakeholders, regulators, and airline executives gathered to discuss the future of African aviation and the barriers slowing its growth.

According to IATA, the overall cost of doing aviation business in Africa is about 15 percent higher than the global average due to excessive government-imposed taxes, airport charges, navigation fees, and security levies. Nigeria was listed alongside Angola, Ghana, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as countries where aviation-related charges remain far above international norms. The association warned that the burden is contributing directly to higher ticket prices, reduced passenger demand, and limited intra-African connectivity.

The latest disclosure has revived longstanding complaints from airline operators and travel industry stakeholders in Nigeria, who argue that the country’s aviation sector remains one of the most expensive operating environments in Africa. Industry players say passengers ultimately bear the financial burden through inflated airfares, while airlines struggle with mounting operational costs that continue to erode profitability.

At the center of IATA’s criticism are the growing Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record charges, commonly referred to as API-PNR fees. These are security-related charges imposed on passengers for systems used by governments to collect travel and identity information. IATA argued that several African governments have increasingly turned these systems into revenue-generating mechanisms despite international aviation standards discouraging such practices.

Tanzania was identified as having the world’s highest API-PNR charge at 45 dollars for a one-way journey, but Nigeria was also highlighted as one of the countries where such charges exceed global norms. In December 2025, Nigerian authorities introduced an additional 11.50 dollar security levy linked to the country’s passenger information system, raising total security-related charges on international tickets to roughly 31.50 dollars. Aviation analysts say the added costs have further increased already expensive international fares departing from Nigeria.

Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, stressed that aviation should be viewed as economic infrastructure rather than a major tax source. He said governments would ultimately generate greater economic returns through stronger trade, tourism, and job creation if aviation costs are reduced. According to him, excessive taxes undermine connectivity and weaken the continent’s economic potential.

The issue is particularly significant for Nigeria because of the country’s strategic position as Africa’s most populous nation and one of the continent’s largest aviation markets. Nigeria handles millions of domestic and international passengers annually, but airlines operating in the country continue to face severe challenges ranging from currency instability and foreign exchange shortages to high insurance premiums, infrastructure limitations, and soaring aviation fuel prices.

Recent developments in Nigeria’s aviation fuel market have worsened concerns about the sustainability of airline operations. In April 2026, the Airline Operators of Nigeria threatened to suspend domestic flight operations after jet fuel prices reportedly surged by about 270 percent within weeks. Airlines accused fuel marketers of artificially inflating prices beyond global oil market trends, warning that revenues were no longer sufficient to cover fuel costs alone.

Reports showed that aviation fuel prices in Nigeria climbed from about 900 naira per litre to nearly 3,300 naira per litre during the crisis period, causing major financial strain on domestic carriers. Industry estimates showed that fuel alone accounted for between 30 and 40 percent of airline operating expenses in Africa, compared with the global average of about 20 to 25 percent.

The International Air Transport Association also noted that fuel costs across Africa remain approximately 17 percent higher than global averages. Beyond fuel, African airlines contend with taxes and charges that are typically between 12 and 15 percent higher than those faced by carriers in other regions. Air navigation charges and maintenance costs also remain significantly elevated.

Nigeria’s aviation cost structure is also linked to statutory charges imposed by regulatory agencies. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority currently collects a five percent sales charge on all tickets originating from Nigeria under the Civil Aviation Act 2006. The revenue is distributed among several aviation agencies including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Airlines have repeatedly argued that the multiple layers of taxes and deductions reduce profitability and discourage investment in fleet expansion.

Another major issue raised during the Focus Africa Conference was the problem of blocked airline funds across the continent. IATA said African countries account for the largest share of trapped airline revenues globally, with hundreds of millions of dollars still inaccessible to airlines because of foreign exchange restrictions and bureaucratic delays. Although Nigeria has made some improvements compared to previous years, aviation stakeholders say currency volatility and access to foreign exchange continue to affect airline operations in the country.

The aviation body also criticized restrictive visa policies across Africa, noting that nearly half of African countries still maintain stringent visa requirements for travelers within the continent. IATA argued that easier visa access combined with lower aviation costs would significantly improve tourism, trade, and business mobility across Africa.

In December 2025, ECOWAS member states agreed to eliminate certain aviation taxes and reduce select charges by 25 percent in an effort to lower travel costs within West Africa. IATA welcomed the move but warned that implementation has remained inconsistent among member countries. The organization stressed that delays in enforcement could undermine the intended economic benefits of the reforms.

Despite the challenges, IATA said Africa’s aviation industry still holds enormous growth potential due to rising passenger demand, population growth, and increasing regional trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. African airlines recorded a 19.2 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand in March 2026, highlighting the continent’s growing appetite for air travel despite persistent operational obstacles.

For Nigeria, however, aviation experts say achieving sustainable growth will depend heavily on whether authorities can reduce excessive taxes, stabilize fuel supply, improve infrastructure, and create a more competitive environment capable of attracting investment while making air travel affordable for millions of travelers.

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