Operators warn flights could halt from April 20 as fuel prices spike over 300%….
Nigeria’s aviation sector is on the brink of a major disruption, as the Airline Operators of Nigeria has warned that domestic flights could be suspended nationwide over the spiralling cost of aviation fuel.
In a notice dated April 14, AON President Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina raised alarm over the sharp rise in the price of Jet A1, which has surged from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300 per litre, an increase of more than 300 percent in just a few weeks.
The letter, addressed to the leadership of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, was also copied to key government officials, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, alongside regulators such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of State Services.
‘Unsustainable’ cost pressures
Airline operators described the surge in fuel prices as “astronomical and artificial,” arguing that it far exceeds movements in global crude oil prices, which have risen by roughly 30 percent over the same period.
According to the group, airlines have continued flying in recent weeks despite mounting losses, driven by a sense of responsibility to passengers and the broader economy. However, that effort may no longer be viable.
“Airline revenues can no longer cover the cost of fuel alone,” the association warned, noting that Jet A1 represents just one component of a long list of operational expenses.
Industry on the edge
The AON said the situation is already taking a toll, revealing that at least one airline has suspended operations since mid-March due to the cost pressures.
It warned that if the trend continues, more carriers will be forced to follow, potentially leading to a complete shutdown of domestic air travel.
Such a scenario could have far-reaching consequences, including:
- Disruptions to business and travel
- Job losses across the aviation value chain
- Strain on financial institutions
- Broader risks to national security and logistics
Tough choices ahead
Operators say passing the full cost onto passengers is not a simple solution. Higher ticket prices could significantly reduce demand, further worsening airlines’ financial position.
Instead, the group is calling on fuel marketers to adjust prices in line with international benchmarks, arguing that current rates are unsustainable for the industry.
With tensions rising, the AON has issued what it describes as a final notice: if fuel prices are not urgently reviewed, airlines across the country will be forced to suspend operations starting April 20, 2026.
The warning sets the stage for a critical showdown between operators and fuel suppliers, and raises the prospect of a nationwide air travel disruption if no resolution is reached in the coming days.
