News Details

Green Africa: Defying the odds with affordable airfares

In a region where affordable airfares have remained elusive, many potential customers have long been deprived of the opportunity to travel by air.

Currently, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Abuja could go for as high as N120,000 – which is way too expensive for the average Nigerian.

The fact, however, is that airlines are not entirely to blame for the skyrocketing airfares. The exorbitant cost of aviation fuel, also known as Jet A-1, has contributed significantly to high-ticket prices.

From N350 per litre in January 2022, Jet A1 price escalated to as high as N850 per litre later in the same year 2022.

While Jet A1 fuel prices have been on a decline in 2023, they are still not close to where they should be when compared to international benchmarks.

In addition, the volatility of the Naira against the US dollar combined with expensive maintenance done abroad due to poor infrastructure here at home has further exacerbated the situation.

In spite of the prevailing stringent economic realities, one airline has set itself apart with a vision to create a “happy and better-connected world” for its customers. That airline is Green Africa, a value airline, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

Founded by Babawande Afolabi, Green Africa has, since its inception in 2021, shattered long-existing fare barriers, providing affordable flight options to customers traveling to eight destinations within the country. These are Lagos, Abuja, Akure, Ilorin, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Benin. However, it was in 2023 that the airline truly stood out with its groundbreaking initiatives: “The gSaverPromo” and the “Wheel of Fortune Campaign”.

The gSaverPromo encourages customers to book their tickets at least 60 days in advance, offering fares as low as N25,000.

This was a cultural shift in a region where most customers typically purchase tickets just a few days before their trips. The campaign was the first in a series of exceptional and pacesetting promotions that allowed customers to travel for almost next to nothing.

One of the many beneficiaries of the promo on social media said “Green Africa thank you oh. I used my N25,000 flight ticket this June. Thank you for the opportunity. -Ismail K.”.

With promotions like the “Wheel of Fortune,” where customers like Olusola bought flight tickets for just N5,150, Green Africa gained a dedicated fan base and even volunteer ambassadors. Olusola expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and eagerly awaits the next promotional event.

According to him “Thanks to Green Africa for the opportunity of the Wheel of Fortune promo, which helped me have my first flight experience. Thank you, and I’m looking forward to the next Wheel of Fortune promo. I’m a 100% fan and volunteer ambassador.”

Although the campaigns were initially met with skepticism, they swiftly won over many discerning customers as they learned to plan their travels in advance to secure the low fares, which were available for travel dates set 60 days ahead.

Each month, Green Africa has continued to offer new promotions, attracting new customers to enjoy the experience of air travel for the first time.

In all, the Green Africa brand has been a game-changer for the traveling public, who can now plan and book flights ahead from as low as N25,000.

As one customer succinctly puts it ‘Green Africa is affordable, on-time and I just love the crew uniform.’

Without a doubt, if Green Africa maintains this commitment to affordability and On-Time Performance (OTP), it would soon join the coveted league of top-value airlines around the world like Volaris and Indigo.

Popular Post

Archives

Categories

Instagram post