Airfares Crash as New Domestic Carriers Flood Northeast Routes, Breaking Monopolies in Maiduguri, Yola, and Gombe

A new era of connectivity is dawning across the Northeast as the entry of several domestic airlines has triggered an intense price war, providing much-needed relief for travelers in the region.

For years, the Northeast corridor comprising key hubs like Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, and Bauchi was served by only a handful of carriers, often leading to exorbitant ticket prices and limited flight options. However, the first week of 2026 has seen a dramatic shift with the official launch of operations by Air North and the expansion of Savannah Air into these strategic routes.

The impact on airfares has been immediate. Travelers who previously paid upwards of ₦150,000 for a one-way ticket from Abuja to Maiduguri are now seeing promotional fares as low as ₦110,000. “The competition is fierce,” says aviation analyst Captain Idris Musa. “Airlines are no longer just competing on routes; they are competing on on-time performance and in-flight service to win over the loyal Northeastern passenger base.”

The expansion is largely fueled by the recent upgrade of the Maiduguri International Airport, which now serves as a regional hub for both domestic and cross-border flights to neighboring Chad and Cameroon. This has encouraged carriers to station aircraft in the region, rather than just operating “turn-around” flights from Lagos or Abuja.

Governors across the region have welcomed the development. In Gombe and Bauchi, the state governments have recently completed the installation of modern Category II Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), allowing for night operations and reducing the frequency of flight cancellations due to the seasonal Harmattan haze.

“This is about more than just travel; it’s about business. When you have three or four airlines flying into your state daily, the cost of doing business drops, and investors start taking you seriously. The Northeast is no longer a ‘no-fly’ zone; it is the new frontier for Nigerian aviation.” — Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Adamawa State

As the 2026 fiscal year takes off, industry experts predict that the Northeast will see a 25% increase in passenger traffic. While the “sky wars” benefit the consumer, the challenge for the new carriers will be maintaining profitability in the face of fluctuating aviation fuel prices. For now, however, the winners are the residents of the Northeast, who finally have the luxury of choice in the clouds.