Nigeria’s domestic air travel took a significant hit in 2024, with a 10% decline in passenger traffic, dropping from 12.05 million in 2023 to 11.55 million in 2024. This downturn is largely attributed to aircraft shortages, soaring maintenance costs, and the impact of foreign exchange shortages, which forced airlines to scale back operations.
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), many airlines were forced to ground planes due to the escalating costs of spare parts and maintenance. Reports indicated that some airlines resorted to taking spare parts from one grounded plane to keep others operational, a situation exacerbated by the scarcity of foreign exchange. The challenges faced by Nigeria’s aviation sector reflect a broader struggle to maintain service standards while dealing with rising operational costs and regulatory constraints.
