THE deteriorating condition of the road linking Delta State to Lagos has triggered a surge in demand for air travel on the Osubi-Lagos route, with the increased passenger traffic pushing up airfares on the route.

Air travellers using the Osubi Airport in Warri, Delta State, to Lagos are now reportedly paying as much as N250,000 for a one-way ticket, compared with about N130,000 previously, representing an increase of more than 90 per cent.

The development is being attributed largely to the growing number of travellers who are abandoning road transportation because of the worsening condition of major highways linking the oil-rich Niger Delta region with Lagos.

The road journey, which ordinarily remains the preferred option for a large number of passengers because of its relatively lower cost, has become increasingly difficult, uncomfortable and unpredictable as motorists contend with potholes, failed portions of the highway, traffic congestion and prolonged travel times.

As a result, passengers who can afford air tickets are increasingly opting to fly from Osubi to Lagos rather than endure the uncertainties associated with travelling by road.

The sudden increase in demand has, however, placed additional pressure on the limited number of seats available on flights operating the route.

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Industry sources said airlines have responded to the higher demand by adjusting fares according to prevailing booking levels, with tickets becoming significantly more expensive as cheaper fare classes are exhausted.

A passenger, Victor Atake who spoke on the development said the high cost of road transportation, coupled with the stress and uncertainty associated with the journey, was making air travel increasingly attractive despite the steep increase in ticket prices.

According to him, “The road has become a nightmare. You can spend several hours longer than expected because of bad portions of the road and traffic. For people travelling for business or important appointments in Lagos, flying is becoming the safer and faster option.”

Another traveller , Obed Oritsetimeyin said the increase in airfare was regrettable but understandable given the circumstances.

“Before now, I would normally travel by road because it was cheaper. But when you consider the time spent on the road, the condition of the highway and the possibility of delays, the difference in cost is becoming something some passengers are willing to pay,” he said.

The situation also highlights the close relationship between the quality of Nigeria’s road infrastructure and demand for domestic aviation.

Whenever major highways become difficult to navigate, passengers with the financial capacity tend to migrate to air transport, particularly on routes where airlines can provide significantly shorter journey times.

For the Osubi-Lagos corridor, the development could provide an opportunity for airlines to increase capacity and frequency, especially if the current passenger demand proves sustainable.

However, aviation stakeholders have repeatedly warned that increased demand alone does not necessarily translate into affordable airfares. Airline operating costs, aviation fuel prices, aircraft availability, maintenance expenses, airport charges and other overheads all contribute to the final cost of tickets.

With the Osubi-Lagos route now witnessing increased patronage, passengers are therefore faced with a difficult choice: endure an increasingly challenging road journey or pay substantially more to travel by air.