Domestic airlines in Nigeria have warned they may suspend operations nationwide from Thursday, April 30, 2026, if urgent steps are not taken to address the rising cost of aviation fuel.
Operators say the situation has become unsustainable, with the price of Jet A1 fuel surging by over 300 percent since February. The sharp increase has significantly raised operating expenses, leaving many airlines struggling to remain in service.
Despite ongoing discussions between airline operators, the Federal Government, and fuel marketers, no concrete solution has been reached. This has heightened fears of widespread disruption for passengers who rely on domestic flights for business and essential travel.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently held a two-day meeting with stakeholders in Abuja.
While the government announced a 30 percent reduction in aviation-related taxes to ease the burden, airline operators insist the move does not address the core issue of fuel pricing.
Allen Onyema, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, acknowledged government efforts but stressed that urgent intervention is needed in fuel pricing. He noted that fuel prices have jumped from about N900 per litre to as high as N3,500 in some locations.
According to Onyema, airlines are currently operating mainly to offset fuel costs, warning that safety cannot be compromised under such financial pressure. He added that operators have issued a seven-day ultimatum for action, stressing that flights may cease if no solution is reached.
The crisis has been partly linked to global tensions, including the US-Iran conflict, which has contributed to rising fuel prices. However, operators argue that the increase in Nigeria is disproportionately high.
In a formal appeal to the Federal Government, the Airline Operators of Nigeria have requested the suspension of aviation taxes and charges for at least six months. They also proposed the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge and called for credit support from fuel marketers.
As the deadline draws closer, uncertainty looms over Nigeria’s aviation sector, with industry stakeholders warning that failure to act could ground all domestic flights.
