A statement by #AirPeace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, that Nigerians are paying the cheapest domestic air fares in the world has triggered widespread debate, with aviation costs, income levels and service quality emerging as central fault lines.

Speaking on Arise Television, Onyema argued that when measured in dollar terms, Nigerian domestic tickets are significantly cheaper than comparable short-haul flights in the United States and Europe. He cited examples of one-hour flights abroad costing between $400 and $500, compared with Nigerian routes where tickets can still be found for around ₦115,000 to ₦125,000 — roughly $60.

Onyema framed his argument around the global nature of aviation, noting that airlines worldwide source aircraft, spare parts and engines from the same international markets.

He pointed out that Nigerian airlines operate under far harsher conditions, borrowing at interest rates of up to 35 per cent, while competitors in Europe and North America access financing at about two per cent. He also highlighted maintenance challenges, explaining that Nigerian carriers often have to ferry aircraft overseas at enormous cost before any work can begin.

Despite these explanations, many Nigerians online said the comparison overlooked the economic reality of passengers.

Emmanuel, responding to the interview, said Onyema “didn’t lie” but argued that using premium US airlines as benchmarks distorted the picture. “He’s judging Nigerian airline prices using one of the most expensive airlines in the US,” he wrote, adding that the comparison “doesn’t make sense.”

Others questioned why income levels were excluded from the discussion. Miss Somebody asked pointedly: “What is the minimum wage in the said abroad? And what is the minimum wage in Nigeria?” She argued that without factoring earnings, price comparisons were misleading.

Peace Ambassador echoed that view, saying affordability should be judged by purchasing power rather than exchange rates. “₦125,000 may be ‘cheap’ in dollars, but it’s more than a full month’s salary for many Nigerians,” the commenter wrote. “Affordability is about income, not conversion rates.”

Several respondents also challenged Onyema’s claim that high domestic fares are the global norm. Oluwafemi Patriot cited a return flight from London to Podgorica costing just over £26, while Addlinbaby referenced a one-hour domestic flight in Thailand priced at about $32. “Why don’t they use these examples?” Oluwafemi Patriot asked.

For others, the issue was not just price but context. Tamuno Steve argued that constant comparisons with Western economies ignore fundamental differences. “We don’t earn like them, we don’t live like them, we don’t have their policies,” he said. “So let’s stop the comparison already.”

There were, however, voices urging a more nuanced reading of Onyema’s comments. Bryang noted that operational costs are often invisible to passengers. “We only count sales prices, not production cost,” he wrote, adding that maintenance and financing realities cannot be ignored.

Wahab Sodiq interpreted the remarks as a warning rather than a boast. He suggested Onyema was implying that Nigerian airlines are “one tax hike away” from dramatically higher ticket prices, which could make air travel inaccessible to the middle class.

Still, critics such as Byronn Kross accused airline executives of hiding behind global comparisons while ignoring service quality and income disparities. He described the claim as “misleading,” arguing that ₦125,000 fares are “extortionate” when measured against average Nigerian earnings.

The debate has highlighted a broader national tension: whether Nigerian consumers are being protected from the true cost of aviation or gradually absorbing it through an economy where wages lag behind prices.

As discussions continue, one point remains uncontested — whether Nigerian air fares are “cheap” depends less on global benchmarks and more on the lived realities of those expected to pay them.