Nigerian airlines are adjusting their flight schedules to prioritize busy airports due to a shortage of aircraft.
This shortage, driven by high maintenance costs and recent grounding orders by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has led airlines to cut services to smaller airports while focusing on high-traffic routes for better returns.
Airports like Ilorin, Akure, and Anambra are experiencing reduced flights, while routes between major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt remain frequent.
The impact of the aircraft shortage is evident at smaller airports. For example, flights from Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport have been cut back significantly, with some routes experiencing cancellations.
The situation is exacerbated by airlines being unable to return their planes from maintenance due to high costs and foreign exchange issues, as well as the recent grounding of Dana Air, which has further strained the fleet.
Travel experts and airport officials are expressing concerns about the current situation. With fewer flights available, ticket prices have increased, and some routes are left underserved.
There are calls for the government to reduce charges from federal agencies to help alleviate the burden on the industry and improve service levels across all routes.
Business Day