Why Government Cannot Intervene In Rising Airfare Costs – Aviation Minister, Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has clarified why the Federal Government is unable to intervene in the escalating prices of airfare tickets.

Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Keyamo said the government had little or no power to address the surge in ticket prices because the aviation sector is deregulated.

“The government has absolutely no power to fix prices for private enterprises, including the aviation industry.

“The government can’t do anything about the hike in airfare ticket prices because the aviation industry has been deregulated,” he said.

Recall that the Senate recently summoned Keyamo and key stakeholders in the sector for an urgent engagement following public outrage over the sudden and steep increase in domestic airfares.

Similarly, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, AOPAN, Dr Alex Nwuba, said the rise in airfares is driven by demand and serves as compensation for reduced fares during low seasons.