The Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air, has explained the differences in its ticket prices, saying fares on its Uyo routes are influenced by strong passenger demand and reduced flight capacity.
The airline’s explanation followed public complaints about high fares and limited flight options to and from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.
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In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Ibom Air said it uses a standard airline pricing system in which tickets are sold in different fare classes, beginning with the lowest available fares.
According to the airline, as seats in the lower fare bands are purchased, bookings move into higher fare categories, causing ticket prices to rise as flights fill up or approach departure generally.
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Uyo flights operating at 95–100% capacity
Ibom Air said its Uyo flights currently have load factors of approximately 95–100 per cent, compared with about 20–25 per cent on its recently resumed Calabar route.
It said the lower passenger demand on the Calabar route means more seats in the cheaper fare bands remain available.
It said strong demand on the Uyo routes meant lower-fare seats were purchased earlier, leaving passengers booking closer to departure with higher-priced options.
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The airline said it nevertheless deliberately makes a significant number of lower-fare seats available on its Uyo routes.
Aircraft maintenance reduces flight frequency
Ibom Air also attributed some of the pressure on available seats to a temporary reduction in its flight capacity.
It said scheduled mandatory maintenance checks on some aircraft had reduced flights on the Lagos–Uyo and Abuja–Uyo routes from three daily services to two.
The airline said capacity would improve with the arrival of its third Airbus A220-300, registered 5N-CDC, and the return of aircraft from maintenance beginning in September.
It said increased capacity would allow it to offer more lower-fare seats.
Monopoly concerns
The latest statement followed concerns raised by passengers about ticket prices and the limited availability of alternative carriers at Victor Attah International Airport.
Ibom Air had previously denied allegations that it controlled access to the airport or prevented other airlines from operating there.
The airline said it had no regulatory authority to determine which carriers operate from Uyo, adding that such responsibility rests with aviation regulators.
It added that it welcomed competition and that more carriers could provide passengers with a greater choice of schedules and fares.
The concerns were partly triggered by a passenger who said he paid N227,000 for a Lagos-Uyo ticket after being unable to secure a seat for three days.
Some passengers also questioned whether greater competition could provide alternatives when Ibom Air flights are fully booked or when lower fare categories are no longer available.
‘Book early for lower fares’
Ibom Air said its pricing was neither arbitrary nor discriminatory and was subject to applicable regulatory requirements and oversight.
It advised passengers seeking cheaper tickets to book early, as fares were subject to availability.
The airline said it must balance affordability with the cost of maintaining safe, reliable and sustainable operations.
It reiterated its commitment to increasing capacity, improving affordability and providing safe and reliable air travel.
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