Nigerian airlines consider shutdown over escalating prices of Jet A1 fuel
Airline operators in Nigeria have warned they may halt flight operations nationwide from April 20, 2026, over what they describe as an unsustainable surge in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), in a letter dated April 14 and addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), said the cost of aviation fuel had jumped from ₦900 per litre in late February to about ₦3,300 per litre, representing an increase of more than 300 per cent within weeks.
The group described the spike as artificial and inconsistent with global oil price movements, noting that international crude oil prices rose by only about 30 per cent within the same period.
According to the operators, airlines have continued to absorb the rising costs for over four weeks in the interest of national service, but warned that the situation has become unsustainable.
“Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone. Accordingly, we hereby give notice that if this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be compelled to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal,” the association stated.
They said the escalating cost is already crippling operations within the aviation sector, disclosing that at least one airline had suspended operations since March 13 due to the high cost of fuel.
AON further cautioned that the situation poses serious risks to the aviation industry and the wider economy, describing the current pricing regime as detrimental to national wellbeing.
The operators noted that increasing ticket fares to reflect fuel costs could reduce passenger demand, while a complete shutdown would disrupt economic activities, affect millions of livelihoods, and worsen security challenges. They called on MEMAN to ensure that aviation fuel prices are aligned with international market realities, stressing that airlines can no longer sustain operations under current conditions.
