Economic Hardship: International Travel Falls by 60% at Lagos, Abuja Airports

The ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria have led to a significant drop in passenger traffic at both Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, according to a new report.

Data from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other industry sources reveal that in 2023, 2.04 million Nigerians traveled abroad.

However, this number plummeted dramatically in 2024, with only 816,000 Nigerians traveling between the first and third quarters of the year, representing a 60% decrease in the load factor.

The high cost of foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, has made international travel increasingly expensive for Nigerians.

Many who once traveled abroad for holidays or weekend visits, often seen as “frivolous” or “casual” trips by aviation stakeholders, are now finding such travel unaffordable.

The statistics further show a total of 2.86 million passengers traveling in 2023 and 2024, marking a decline of 1.23 million and a 60% drop in overall traffic.

Additionally, the steep rise in the cost of international air tickets—up by more than 600% in recent years—has added to the financial burden.

For instance, a one-way economy ticket to the United States, which cost around N350,000 before the naira was floated in May 2023, now ranges between N2.7 million and N3 million, making foreign travel increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury.