Airline operators in Nigeria have warned that flight operations across the country may be suspended from April 20, 2026, following a sharp and sustained increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said aviation fuel has risen from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300 per litre within weeks — an increase of over 300 per cent that is now crippling airline operations.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong, the operators described the spike as excessive and disconnected from global oil price movements.
According to AON, while crude oil prices have increased by roughly 30 per cent within the same period, the surge in Jet A1 locally has far outpaced global trends, raising serious concerns about pricing structure and supply dynamics in the downstream sector.
The operators said airlines have continued to absorb the cost for over four weeks, maintaining operations despite mounting losses. However, they warned that the situation is no longer sustainable.
“Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone,” the group stated, adding that continued operations under the current pricing regime are no longer viable.
Industry data further highlights the depth of supply constraints in Nigeria’s aviation fuel market.
According to Petroleumprice.ng, Dangote Refinery was the only supplier with available Jet A1, selling at ₦2,270 per litre as of the previous day.
Checks across multiple depots showed widespread stockouts, with several major facilities recording zero availability of the product. The situation points to a clear supply gap in the market, reinforcing concerns over the consistent availability of aviation fuel nationwide.
The pricing and limited supply from a single source underline the growing dependence on Dangote Refinery, while also exposing the fragility of distribution across other depots.
The impact of the crisis is already evident. AON disclosed that at least one airline has grounded its operations since March due to rising fuel costs, with more carriers at risk if the trend continues.
The operators warned that the situation could severely disrupt the aviation sector, with ripple effects on the economy, including reduced connectivity, pressure on alternative transport systems, and loss of jobs across the industry.
They also noted that airlines are now faced with difficult decisions — either increase ticket prices sharply, which could reduce passenger demand, or suspend operations entirely to minimise losses.
AON called on MEMAN and other stakeholders to urgently address the pricing imbalance and ensure that aviation fuel is made available at rates that reflect global realities.
The group added that top government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key regulators, have been notified as the industry awaits immediate intervention.
With the deadline drawing closer, the stability of Nigeria’s aviation sector now depends on swift action to resolve both pricing and supply challenges in the Jet A1 market.