Domestic airline owners threaten to halt operations over high fuel price
Agency Report
Domestic airline owners under the umbrella of Airline Operators of Nigeria on Wednesday threatened seize operations if the price of Aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet A1 is not reduced from it current N3,300 per liter.
The operators, in a letter addressed to Mr. Clement Isong, the Executive Secretary/ Executive Officer, Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria called for an urgent proportional review of the product price.
The letter read in part “Our letter dated March 30, 2026, on the above subject matter refers. Permit us to further bring to your notice that the price of Jet A1 as sold by marketers has risen significantly from the initial ₦900/litre as at February 28, 2026, to ₦3,300/litre as at today.$
According to them, “This represents an increase of over 300%. This astronomical and artificial increase is not commensurate with the rise in crude oil prices and is well above international market benchmarks, which reflect approximately a 30% increase in crude oil cost.”
“For the past four weeks, airlines have endured this burden and continued operations out of patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation. However, the situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable.”
While lamenting the adverse effects of the development on operating costs, AON said “Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily. The situation continues to deteriorate.”
“The actions of fuel marketers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk, as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations.
An electronic document made available to journalists and signed by AON President Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa noted that “For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already severely impacted one airline, forcing it to ground all operations since March 13, 2026. This may become inevitable for other airlines if the situation does not change immediately,” they explained.
Furthermore,the affirmed that “Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance. The continued arbitrary rise in jet fuel prices is both unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing. Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy.”
“If ticket prices are adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, flights will operate with low passenger loads. Conversely, if airlines cease operations, financial institutions will be impacted, millions of livelihoods will be lost, and insecurity may increase.
We therefore urge you to prevail on marketers to proportionately adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current exorbitant rates.
The document was copied the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr Festus Keyamo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Director General, Department of State Services.
It added that “Accordingly, we hereby give NOTICE that if this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be compelled to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal.”
