The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised alarm over the ongoing scarcity of aviation fuel, warning that the situation is beginning to endanger flight safety, disrupt airline schedules, and worsen working conditions for aviation personnel across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NAAPE President, Bunmi Gindeh, described the Jet A1 supply challenges as a serious national issue that requires immediate action from both aviation and petroleum regulators.
According to him, the prolonged disruptions in fuel availability have forced airlines into difficult operational adjustments, including delays, route changes, and extended duty hours for crew members. He cautioned that such conditions increase fatigue among pilots and engineers, potentially eroding critical safety margins during flight operations.
Gindeh urged the Federal Government and key regulatory bodies including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) – to treat the Jet A1 supply issue as an urgent priority. He also called on fuel marketers and other stakeholders to work toward stabilising supply.
He explained that irregular flight schedules caused by fuel shortages are pushing crew members beyond planned duty limits, a situation known globally to heighten the risk of human error in aviation. Fatigue, he noted, affects decision-making, reaction time, and situational awareness in the cockpit and on the ground.
The union further highlighted the financial strain on domestic carriers, many of which are already grappling with rising operational costs and volatile fuel prices. With aircraft grounded or delayed due to fuel constraints, airlines continue to incur fixed costs without generating corresponding revenue.
NAAPE warned that the economic pressure is beginning to trickle down to workers through delayed wages, declining welfare conditions, and increased workplace stress.
The association also cautioned that if the fuel situation does not improve, more airlines may be compelled to cut routes, scale down operations, or suspend services entirely – a development that could lead to significant job losses and weaken air connectivity across the country.
Gindeh pointed to recent operational adjustments by some carriers, including route reductions by Rano Air, as early signs of the mounting pressure facing operators in the sector.
He stressed that resolving the Jet A1 crisis is critical not only for the survival of airlines but also for maintaining safety standards and protecting the livelihoods of aviation workers nationwide.
