The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has dismissed claims by the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, that high government taxes are responsible for the recent increase in domestic airfares.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated in a message posted on X on Sunday that repeated accusations of excessive taxation on local flight operations are not accurate.
His response followed Onyema’s remarks during an interview on Arise Television, where the airline chief linked rising ticket prices to multiple taxes and warned that fares could increase further if the country’s new tax laws take effect from January.
According to Onyema, the introduction of the new tax regime could push airfares even higher.
Reacting, Achimugu argued that domestic airlines do not pay 18 different taxes as alleged.
“Any domestic carrier operating domestic flights that says they are paying 18 taxes is a liar. No domestic carrier pays 18 taxes for domestic flights,” he said.
He explained that the current high cost of air tickets is largely influenced by market forces, especially demand and supply trends, questioning why fares have risen sharply during the December period.
“We understand that the high airfares this period are down to market forces, demand and supply. Even if we assume there are 18 taxes and that those taxes increased recently, why is it different in December?” he asked.
Achimugu added that, considering the level of assistance provided to domestic airlines by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, there was no justification for repeatedly placing blame on the government.
“With the kind of support domestic carriers have received, I see no reason why the government keeps getting thrown under the bus through statements like this,” Achimugu said.
