Air carriers under the umbrella of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have warned that flight operations nationwide could be suspended from April 20, 2026, if the soaring cost of aviation fuel is not urgently addressed.
In a formal communication dated April 14 to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the group said the price of Jet A1 has climbed from about ₦900 per litre at the end of February to roughly ₦3,300 per litre within weeks – a spike the operators describe as extreme and disconnected from global oil price movements.
AON argued that while crude oil prices internationally have risen modestly in the same period, the local surge in aviation fuel costs has been far steeper, placing airlines under intense financial strain.
According to the operators, carriers have tried to manage the rising expense for more than a month in what they called a show of commitment to national service. However, they said the situation has reached a breaking point, with ticket revenues no longer able to offset fuel costs.
The group disclosed that at least one airline has already stopped flying since mid-March due to the price pressure and warned that others could soon follow if no intervention occurs.
Describing aviation as vital to economic activity, safety, and national cohesion, AON cautioned that the current pricing trend threatens the stability of the entire sector. The operators said they are faced with two difficult options: raise fares sharply and risk losing passengers, or suspend services altogether.
They warned that a shutdown would disrupt businesses, affect millions of travellers, and create ripple effects across banking, trade, and security.
AON urged MEMAN to work toward pricing that reflects international market realities, stressing that airlines cannot continue buying fuel at current rates.
Senior government figures, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, aviation authorities, and security agencies, were copied in the letter as stakeholders await possible action to avert a looming crisis in the country’s air transport system.
