Operators warn of imminent halt in flights as Jet A1 prices surge over 300%, putting Nigeria’s aviation sector under pressure……
Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing a potential crisis as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, convenes an urgent meeting with key stakeholders to address a sharp rise in the cost of aviation fuel.
The high-level meeting brings together officials from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, oil marketers, and airline operators, as the Federal Government moves to prevent a possible disruption to air travel across the country.
The talks come days after the Airline Operators of Nigeria issued a stark warning: airlines may be forced to suspend operations if the current fuel pricing trend continues.
In a letter addressed to Clement Isong of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, operators revealed that the price of Jet A1 fuel has skyrocketed from ₦900 per litre in late February to about ₦3,300 per litre, an increase of more than 300 percent within a matter of weeks.
The group described the surge as both “astronomical” and “unsustainable,” warning that the cost burden has reached a breaking point.
Airlines say they have absorbed the rising costs for over a month in an effort to maintain services, but insist that continuing operations under current conditions is no longer viable.
According to the operators, revenue from ticket sales is now insufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, an indication of how severely margins have been squeezed.
They also questioned the justification for the spike, noting that global crude oil prices have risen by only about 30 percent within the same timeframe, far below the increase seen in local aviation fuel.
Beyond the immediate threat to flight operations, industry players warn of broader implications. The AON accused fuel marketers of placing immense strain on the aviation ecosystem, with potential consequences for economic activity, safety, and national security.
The impact is already being felt. At least one airline has reportedly grounded its fleet since mid-March due to the rising cost of fuel, with fears that others may soon follow if no resolution is reached.
Government Steps In
The ongoing meeting led by Keyamo is part of the Federal Government’s effort to stabilise the sector and avoid a shutdown that could disrupt travel, commerce, and logistics nationwide.
Aviation remains a critical component of Nigeria’s economy, connecting major cities, supporting business operations, and facilitating movement across the country.
With tensions rising between airlines and fuel suppliers, the outcome of these discussions could prove decisive.
For now, the industry is in a holding pattern caught between soaring operational costs and the urgent need to keep planes in the air.
What happens next may determine whether Nigeria’s aviation sector weathers the turbulence or is forced into an unprecedented slowdown.
