LAGOS— Nigeria’s aviation industry could face major disruption from April 20, 2026, as domestic airlines threaten to ground all aircraft over the spiraling cost of aviation fuel, popularly known as Jet A1.
Multiple industry sources revealed that airline operators are planning to suspend flight operations nationwide, citing the “unbearable” rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel that has pushed carriers to the brink.
How The Warning Was Issued
According to information obtained by Arise News, the planned move was communicated in a letter dated April 14, 2026, signed by Abdulmunaf Sarina, the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). adeb
Airline executives say the situation has become unsustainable. The relentless surge in Jet A1 prices, they warn, is making daily operations increasingly impossible to maintain. In a previous but similar crisis, the AON told the Minister of Aviation that “no airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period”. adeb
Operators Accuse Fuel Marketers Of Price Exploitation
Operators also accused fuel marketers of exploiting the situation through what they described as arbitrary and unpredictable pricing. According to them, the rising fuel costs are placing enormous financial pressure on airlines already struggling with steep operational expenses. a7b0
Industry data shows aviation fuel now accounts for nearly 95 per cent of airline operating costs in Nigeria, up from the global average of 40 per cent. The AON said the cost of aviation fuel had made the unit cost per seat for a one-hour flight in Nigeria rise to an average of N120,000, a figure that “cannot be fully passed to passengers, who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties”. adeb
Aviation Authority Responds: Scale Down Operations
Reacting to similar fuel scarcity pressures, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has previously advised domestic airlines to scale down flight operations. Mr Sam Adurogboye, Acting General Manager Public Relations at NCAA, said: “Our directive earlier when this situation arose is that airlines should cut down their operations to services they are able to procure fuel for”. d62c
Adurogboye added that the NCAA was concerned that passengers should not be made to suffer unduly because of the scarcity of aviation fuel. The authority insisted that “where they have sold tickets, then they contact the passengers ahead of time to avoid their coming to the airport and be stranded”. d62c
What Happens If Flights Stop
If the planned suspension goes ahead, it could trigger widespread disruption across Nigeria’s air travel network. Thousands of passengers may be stranded, cargo deliveries delayed, and business activities that depend heavily on air transport severely affected.
Aviation stakeholders have long complained about the volatility of jet fuel prices. The AON previously warned that “the continued rise in the cost of jet fuel has created operational pressures that put into question their financial viability”. Analysts note that fuel alone accounts for a huge percentage of airline operating costs, and erratic supply at airports is already causing flight delays and cancellations nationwide. f1da21f3
Forex Crisis Worsens Airline Struggles
Beyond fuel, airlines say a shortage of foreign currency is hampering their ability to maintain regular operations. The AON explained that “airlines are in a ‘life and death’ struggle to secure the foreign exchange that they urgently need to acquire spare parts to ensure the regular routine and scheduled maintenance of aircraft”. This impacts how quickly grounded aircraft can be restored for flight operations. 21f3
Call For Government Intervention
Industry leaders insist that urgent intervention from the government is needed to stabilise prices or provide some form of relief for struggling operators. Without that support, they warn, several domestic airlines could face serious financial trouble. Experts have also called for reducing the impact of middlemen in fuel delivery and closing the gap between landing cost of JET A1 and the price sold to airlines, noting “that margin is so high and marketers should not capitalise on the deregulation of aviation fuel”. 3c49
Observers say the impact of a shutdown would likely spread beyond aviation, hitting sectors such as tourism, trade, and corporate travel. As of the time this report was filed, regulators and fuel suppliers had yet to issue any official response to the airlines’ latest warning.
