The federal government has appealed to domestic airlines to refrain from increasing airfares or suspending operations following a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the call in a letter addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria, citing the recent surge in Jet A1 fuel costs from N900 per litre in February to about N3,300 per litre.
Keyamo acknowledged the operational strain on airlines, describing the 300 per cent increase as a major challenge for the industry.
“I urge your members to exercise restraint on any planned increase in airfares at this time, as this could impose additional hardship on Nigerians and reduce access to air travel,” he said.
The minister also cautioned against any move to suspend flight operations, warning of broader economic implications.
“Suspension of operations would have far-reaching consequences, including disruption of mobility, loss of public confidence and negative impact on the economy,” he added.
He assured operators that the administration of President Bola Tinubu recognises the strategic importance of the aviation sector and is committed to addressing the challenges facing the industry.
“The concerns raised have received the full attention of government, and immediate steps will be taken to resolve them,” Keyamo said.
To that end, the minister announced plans for an emergency stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 22 in Abuja, aimed at finding a practical and sustainable solution to the crisis.
He commended airline operators for their resilience and continued service delivery despite prevailing difficulties, reaffirming government’s commitment to reforms designed to support the growth of local carriers.