Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says his ministry will help domestic airlines access aircraft at cheaper rates to reduce ticket prices.

Keyamo spoke on Arise News’ ‘This Morning’ programme on Sunday.

On December 1, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) announced it would investigate complaints of exploitative practices in the aviation sector.

According to the FCCPC, Air Peace Limited, a Nigerian airline, is being investigated over allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, including significant price increases for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.

Air Peace described the allegations of exploitative fares as both damaging and unfair.

Commenting on the development, Keyamo said the exchange rate impacts every aspect of aviation, including basic maintenance such as changing a tyre bolt, hence the high ticket prices.

“What we are therefore doing is to ensure that we expose them to the market across the world where they can assess aircraft on very good terms. This will impact on the prices of tickets and their cost of operation,” he said.

“That is what led us to address the issue of the practice direction pursuant to the Cape Town Convention, that is the core of the problem of the aviation industry that this president and the vice president graciously supported us to get to.”

On September 12, the federal government signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice direction to help domestic airline operators access aircraft on dry lease.

Keyamo added that Nigeria will attend a major global aircraft meeting in January to address more aviation challenges.

“In January, all the airlines in Nigeria, all insurance companies including the National Insurance Commission and the National Assembly leadership on insurance and aviation are all going to Dublin between the 12th and the 18th,” he said.

“I’m leading the delegation, all the major aircraft financiers, and leasers are all gathered there and for the first time they have invited Nigeria.

“They invited us because efforts we have made to make them assess these markets around the world has increased our compliance score from 49 percent to 75.5 percent, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, all credit to the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited (OERNL) says it has increased production output by about 50 percent since its acquisition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

According to a statement on Sunday, Ainojie Irune, managing director of OERNL, spoke during a high-level meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, at the national oil firm’s towers in Abuja.

The statement said the meeting was led by Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer of NNPC, and Irune.

Irune expressed gratitude for NNPC’s support, providing updates on the developments since Oando’s acquisition in August.

“Just by way of an update, in less than 100 days, since acquisition, we have been able to increase our production outputs by almost 50%. This could not have been achieved without your support,” he said.

“We’ve been able to improve the integration of both legacy companies, again led by not just Oando, but NNPC, bringing the JV that used to exist in three parts into two, seamlessly.”

Irune further emphasised the company’s commitment to increasing production and improving operational efficiency, adding that “we are excited about the future of this partnership”.

“With the support of NNPC, we aim to increase production to over 100,000 barrels of oil per day and 1.3-1.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day within the next three years,” Irune added.

He said the challenges the company has seen are not insurmountable.

“Rather, with the commitment and collaboration of all parties, we will overcome the current adversity to build a sustainable industry and economy,” the OERNL MD said.

Speaking at the meeting, Kyari congratulated Oando on its acquisition of NAOC.

“We believe that taking over the interests from Eni in this joint venture is a positive development for our industry and country. It signifies indigenous companies’ ability to play a bigger role in big assets and align with the national aspiration in the energy industry,” he said.

“We see this development as a massive step on the path to realising that national goal. We will work with Oando intently to ensure that we do two things, as you have highlighted: increase oil production and also increase gas production.

“We believe that you will be able to steer this ship to the delivery line in the short term and the long term.”

Traveling doesn’t have to cost a fortune as with some smart planning, you can find cheap flight tickets and save money for other fun parts of your trip.

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a big international adventure, the right tricks can make a huge difference.

Here are seven easy tips to help you get flight tickets without breaking the bank.

Book at the Right Time

Timing matters when booking flights. Tickets are usually cheaper if you book weeks or months ahead. For domestic flights, aim to book 1-3 months before your trip. For international travel, book 3-6 months in advance.

Mid-week bookings, like on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, often cost less. Airlines release deals early in the week. Avoid booking on weekends when prices are usually higher.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Being flexible with your travel dates can help you save money. Ticket prices vary based on the time of year, day of the week, and time of day. Flights on weekdays, early mornings, or late at night are usually cheaper.

Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare prices on different dates. These tools often show you the cheapest days to fly within a month.

Compare Prices on Different Platforms

Don’t book the first flight you find. Use comparison websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, or Momondo to see prices from various airlines.

After finding a good deal, check the airline’s own website. Sometimes, airlines offer lower prices or better terms like free cancellations. Some airlines don’t list their prices on other websites, so checking directly ensures you get the best deal.

Search in Incognito Mode

Flight prices can go up when you search for the same route repeatedly. Airlines and travel sites use cookies to track your activity, which may increase prices.

To avoid this, use incognito mode or private browsing on your web browser. Alternatively, clear your browser cookies before searching. This will help you see accurate and lower prices.

Join Airline Loyalty Programs and Use Travel Credit Cards

Sign up for loyalty programs to earn points or miles every time you fly. You can use these points for free or discounted flights in the future.

Travel credit cards often offer perks like bonus miles, free checked bags, or exclusive deals. Some cards also give cashback on travel expenses. Using these benefits can lower your overall travel costs.

Check Alternate Airports

Flying into or out of smaller airports can be cheaper than using major ones. If your destination has multiple airports, compare prices for all of them.

Smaller airports may require extra transportation, but the savings on the flight can still make it worthwhile. Use tools that let you include nearby airports in your search.

Set Fare Alerts and Watch for Deals

Sign up for fare alerts on platforms like Google Flights, Hopper, or Airfarewatchdog. These alerts notify you when prices drop for your preferred route.

Follow airlines on social media or subscribe to their newsletters. This helps you stay informed about flash sales or special promotions. Being quick to grab these deals can save you a lot.

Finding cheap flight tickets takes some planning, flexibility, and effort. Book early, compare prices, and make use of loyalty programs or rewards. With these tips, you can save money and enjoy budget-friendly travel. Start applying these strategies, and you’ll be flying for less in no time.