Domestic airline operators in Nigeria have warned that they may be forced to suspend operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, over what they describe as an “astronomical and unsustainable” increase in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel.
The warning was contained in a letter dated April 14, 2026, issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong.
According to the operators, the price of Jet A1 has risen sharply from about ₦900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to approximately ₦3,300 per litre as of April 14 — representing an increase of over 300 per cent.
They described the spike as “artificial and not commensurate with global crude oil trends,” noting that international benchmarks reflect only about a 30 per cent rise in crude oil prices over the same period.
For several weeks, airlines say they have absorbed the rising costs “out of patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation,” but stress that the situation has now become “unbearable and unsustainable.”
Operational pressure is already mounting, with the operators stating that airline revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, let alone other daily operational costs.
Industry concerns were further heightened with the disclosure that at least one airline has already grounded operations since March 13, 2026, while others may follow if the situation persists.
Warning of broader consequences, the group stressed that aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance, adding that continued price escalation could trigger flight disruptions, job losses, financial strain on banks, and wider economic and security implications.
In a direct appeal, the association urged fuel marketers to review jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, insisting that airlines can no longer sustain operations under current conditions.
The letter concluded with a firm notice that if the trend continues, all domestic airlines may be compelled to suspend operations nationwide effective Monday, April 20, 2026.
The correspondence was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Department of State Services (DSS).