By Peter Omopo
Air travel across Nigeria has surged in recent months as more citizens turn away from long-distance road journeys due to worsening insecurity and frequent reports of kidnappings on major highways.
Airlines say demand has risen far beyond levels recorded during the same period last year, with bookings for the festive season already near full capacity.
The Public Relations Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the trend to Sunday PUNCH, attributing the rise to improved airline operations, expanded capacity, and a growing public preference for safer and faster travel.
“Look at the statistics. It is not what was demanded at this time last year that is being demanded now,” Uloka said.
According to him, the aviation sector has witnessed “a whole lot of development and growth,” and aircraft load factors have consistently exceeded last year’s figures.
Although he acknowledged that insecurity on the roads might be pushing many Nigerians toward air travel, Uloka stressed that airlines were not exploiting the situation.
“A lot of people might rather go by air than by road, but we don’t encourage that sentiment. We are not trying to profit from anybody’s misfortune,” he noted.
He added that many passengers were travelling home for the holidays or reuniting with family after long periods away, further contributing to the surge in demand.
With a population of more than 230 million, Uloka said it was natural for movement to increase during the festive period, but insecurity remained a significant factor.
Air Peace Also Reports Full Bookings
Similarly, Air Peace spokesperson Osifo-Whiskey Efe confirmed that the airline had reached full passenger capacity for the busy “Ember months.”
“Our flights are full, especially for the Ember period. We are looking at increasing frequency as more of our aircraft return from maintenance,” he said.
Travellers Voice Safety Concerns Online
Across social media platforms, Nigerians continue to express fear over road travel due to persistent reports of kidnapping and armed attacks.
On X (formerly Twitter), user @abalu_uthman lamented the decline in road safety:
“I used to travel by road from Lagos to Kano back in 2017–19, even from Sokoto to Saki as recently as 2020. It’s sad that one can’t even think of travelling through the road in Nigeria again because of the fear of being kidnapped or worse.”
An Instagram user, @darlington_oni, issued a stark warning on November 19:
“Whatever you do, do not travel by road in Nigeria right now. If you don’t have money for a flight, please stay in your house. Protect the one life you have.”
Another user, @SportPaparazzi1, shared similar concerns:
“To think that in 2025, kidnapping is still on a high… You can’t travel again in Nigeria by road with your two eyes closed.”
Many travellers preparing for Christmas told Sunday PUNCH that although flight prices were high, the peace of mind was worth the additional cost.
Security Worries Reshape Travel Culture
Nigeria has experienced a spike in highway attacks and kidnappings over the past several years, leaving commuters fearful of road travel. The situation typically worsens during holiday seasons when families travel in large numbers.
Industry analysts say the current trend could continue if road insecurity persists, potentially reshaping travel patterns nationwide and placing additional pressure on airlines already struggling with high operational costs.
For now, air travel remains the preferred choice for millions seeking safer journeys, even as calls for urgent government action on road security grow louder.
