The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed a widening imbalance in the country’s aviation sector, with domestic air travel declining sharply while international passenger traffic continues to record sustained growth.
Figures released by FAAN on Tuesday show that passenger movements within Nigeria have dropped to their lowest level in three years, reflecting mounting pressures on local airlines.
According to the data, domestic passenger traffic fell to 12.54 million in 2024, down from 14.52 million in 2022, signalling a steady contraction in a segment once regarded as the backbone of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The decline has been gradual but persistent. Between 2022 and 2023, domestic passenger numbers dropped from 14,519,565 to 13,409,701, representing a 7.6 per cent decrease. The downward trend continued in 2024, with traffic falling further to 12,543,153, a 6.4 per cent year-on-year decline. Overall, the domestic aviation market has shrunk by 13.6 per cent since 2022, losing nearly two million passengers within three years.
Local airline operators have repeatedly blamed the downturn on multiple taxes and high operating costs, which have driven up domestic airfares throughout 2024 and 2025, making air travel less affordable for many Nigerians.
While domestic operators struggle, international airlines are witnessing rising passenger throughput, buoyed by strong demand for overseas travel. With limited local capacity, foreign carriers continue to dominate international routes into Nigeria, benefiting from growing outbound and inbound travel demand.
FAAN statistics show that international passenger traffic rose from 3,752,746 passengers in 2022 to 4,070,833 in 2023, an 8.4 per cent increase. The growth continued in 2024, with international traffic climbing to 4,334,665 passengers, representing a further 6.4 per cent increase.
Between 2022 and 2024, international air travel expanded by 15.5 per cent, adding more than 580,000 passengers over the period.
Observers attribute the rise in international travel to sustained demand from high-income travellers, increased migration, expanding cross-border trade, and Nigeria’s deeper integration into global travel networks.
However, aviation stakeholders warn that the contrasting trends pose serious risks to the sector. While higher international traffic boosts airport revenues and enhances global connectivity, the shrinking domestic market threatens the survival of local airlines that rely heavily on intra-national routes.
A retired pilot, Mohammed Badamosi, warned that the decline in domestic air travel could persist if operators fail to improve passenger experience and reliability.
He questioned why Nigerians would choose air travel amid frequent flight delays and cancellations, especially when road travel offers more certainty.
Badamosi said high fares also discourage passengers, noting that he recently travelled by road from Benin to Agbo and found the cost nearly equivalent to a Lagos–Benin road trip, making air travel unattractive when additional road transport is still required.
“In developed countries, tourism and travel are packaged to be attractive, often covering transport and accommodation,” he said, adding that Nigerian airlines must respect passengers, keep to schedules, and deliver reliable service.
“If people know they will meet their appointments by road, why would they waste time at the airport where flights are constantly delayed or cancelled? Airlines must stop treating passengers as beggars and start delivering dependable service,” Badamosi stated.
Industry experts warn that unless policy, cost, and service issues are addressed urgently, more Nigerian travellers may continue to abandon domestic air travel for road transport.
