As the Yuletide season approaches, residents of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have complained about the hike in the cost of flight fares.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, residents expressed concern that the increase in flight fares will impact their ability to travel home for the holidays, making it difficult to celebrate with loved ones.

Joel Bassey when asked if he had plans to travel for the yuletide explained that he had planned to but will be unable to do so now due to the increase in the cost of transportation.

“I had planned to travel. I had even made up my mind that I would not use flights because flights have become very expensive so I knew I was going to use land. But now I cannot even still afford to use land.”

“From Abuja to Akwa Ibom which used to be about 30,000 Naira with GIG and 25,000 with AKTC is now about 60,000. So I am now paying what I would have paid for a round trip for just going.”

“So I have decided that I will not go. Instead, I will use that transport fare to celebrate Christmas here.”

Yewande Blessing on the other hand said she will be going back to her family for the holidays as she has already booked her flight to Ibadan.

“What I discovered is that if you keep stalling, the price will keep increasing. So instead of waiting till December, I booked by flight this morning.”

“A round trip to Ibadan today costs about N365,000 which I agree is expensive, but if I waited till maybe the end of November or even December that price may have doubled.”

Gbenga, a family man whose family stays in Illorin complained bitterly about how much money he will spend on travelling for the holidays.

“My family is not here in Abuja so I have to travel so that I can spend Christmas with them. In the past three years, I have not had a problem with paying my flight to and fro Ilorin but now, this year, I have to use land because I cannot pay so much money for the flight.”

“We still have to enjoy the holiday, we still need to buy new clothes and shoes so I have to save the flight money so that I can make my children and my wife happy.”

While the interviewees appeared cheerful at first, their spirits noticeably sank after discussing the rising cost of transportation.