Emerging report indicates that local airlines in Nigeria have increased their minimum rates from N50,000 to N55,000.

This is coming barely three months after an initial hike.

Confirming the new development, Gina Onyeka, a travel agent said the minimum airfare which was initially capped at N35,000 at the beginning of the aviation fuel crisis in February now ranges between N55,000 and N65,000.

“The aviation fuel increase is affecting ticket prices and sales. Not everyone can afford N50,000, minimum fares and increasing these fares to N55,000 and more is affecting passenger patronage,” Ms Onyeka said.

In February, airline operators increased economy class tickets to N50,000 representing a 100 per cent hike.

The operators cited high the skyrocketing cost of jet AW fuel and unavailability of Forex to purchase the essential commodity from the international market.