Domestic airlines in Nigeria may suspend operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, as operators grapple with what they describe as crippling and unsustainable aviation fuel prices, raising concerns over widespread travel disruption nationwide.
Industry sources said airlines are nearing a breaking point after weeks of failed negotiations with the Federal Government and oil marketers. With no resolution in sight, operators warn they may be forced to ground flights.
The looming shutdown follows a dramatic surge in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has risen by more than 300 percent since February. The spike has sharply increased operating costs, leaving many carriers struggling to stay afloat.
Passengers who depend on domestic air travel for business and urgent trips now face growing uncertainty.
In an effort to avert the crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, last week convened a meeting in Abuja involving airline operators and fuel marketers. However, the two-day talks ended without agreement, as operators insisted on concrete action before reconsidering their position.
At the meeting’s conclusion, the minister announced a 30 percent reduction in aviation-related taxes to ease pressure on airlines. While operators acknowledged the move, they said it does not address the root cause of the crisis, fuel pricing.
Speaking during the discussions, Allen Onyema, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), welcomed government intervention but called for greater scrutiny of fuel marketers.
“This government has supported the industry significantly, but marketers must explain the 300 percent increase in fuel prices,” Onyema said, noting that even local suppliers were reportedly surprised by the spike.
He warned that airlines may have no choice but to halt operations if conditions do not improve. “If nothing is done, no airline will be flying in this country in the next seven days, not because they don’t want to, but because fuel may not be available at sustainable pricing,” he said.
According to Onyema, aviation fuel prices have climbed from about ₦900 per litre before the crisis to between ₦2,700 and ₦2,900, with some marketers charging as much as ₦3,500 per litre.
“All airlines are essentially flying just to pay for fuel, and safety cannot be compromised,” he added.
Despite speculation about debts, airline officials insist they remain current on payments to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
In a formal letter dated April 21, signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, operators requested additional relief measures. These include a six-month suspension of aviation taxes and charges, the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge, and the creation of an industry tax reform committee.
The group also urged the government to compel oil marketers to issue credit notes to airlines affected by what they described as excessive and arbitrary pricing.
As the Thursday deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to hang over Nigeria’s aviation sector. A senior airline executive, speaking anonymously, said the shutdown threat remains real.
“If nothing is done, flights will stop,” the official said.