United Nigeria Airlines Calls for Tax Cuts to Lower Airfares

Adedayo Olawuyi, the Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, urged the Federal Government to implement urgent tax cuts to reduce aviation charges and enhance air travel affordability. Speaking at the AeroWest conference in Lagos, he highlighted that high aviation charges lead to increased ticket prices, which reflect deeper structural issues within the aviation sector.

Olawuyi pointed out that airlines face significant losses due to the mismatch between ticket sales in naira and expenses incurred in foreign currencies. He emphasized the high costs of pilot training and the lack of maintenance and repair facilities, which necessitate sending aircraft abroad.

Fuel prices have surged from N900 in December 2025 to N3,000 in 2026, further burdening airlines. Olawuyi stressed the need for cooperation among stakeholders, including the government and regulators, to address these challenges and improve connectivity in West and Central Africa.