As the peak Christmas travel season draws closer, aviation experts have urged travellers to book flights early, use official platforms, and adopt online check-in to reduce congestion, ticket racketeering, and flight disruptions across Nigerian airports.
The experts gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, warning that the annual surge in passenger traffic during and after the festive season often stretches airlines and airport facilities.
Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Aviation Hub, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, advised passengers to take direct control of their travel plans and avoid relying on intermediaries who often contribute to flight overbooking and fraudulent ticket activities.
“Travellers are advised to secure tickets months in advance. Early booking not only guarantees a seat during high-demand periods but also secures significantly lower fares,” Agboarumi said.
He urged travellers to purchase tickets strictly through official airline websites, certified offices, or accredited agencies to eliminate fake tickets and racketeering. He further encouraged passengers to embrace online check-in available between 24 and 72 hours before departure to reduce time spent in queues. He also advised travellers to keep travel documents safely and be familiar with the NCAA Passenger Bill of Rights in case of disruptions.
Chairman of the NIGAV Convention Centre, Mr. Fortune Idu, criticised travellers who wait until the last minute to book flights, noting that while festive airfare increases are market-driven, planning can help passengers manage costs.
He said although the market is deregulated and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority cannot fix prices, early bird offers remain one of the most effective ways to secure cheaper fares. “Prices of tickets are demand-driven but planning helps,” he stressed.
In the same vein, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to arrive early and report any misconduct within airport premises.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, Mr. Henry Agbebire, said passenger traffic and security checks are significantly higher during the festive season, urging passengers on international flights to arrive at least three hours before departure and domestic travellers two hours ahead.
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He also advised Lagos-bound travellers to consider traffic delays around the Murtala Mohammed International Airport due to ongoing construction works and to remain calm while seeking assistance from airport support teams.
Agbebire assured that FAAN had deployed strategic teams across airports nationwide to assist travellers and ensure a smoother Christmas travel experience.
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