KEY POINTS
- Nigerian airlines may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, due to a 300% surge in Jet A1 fuel prices.
- The Airline Operators of Nigeria describes the price increase as artificial and unsustainable, far exceeding global oil price trends.
- A shutdown could have severe economic and security consequences if urgent government and industry intervention is not implemented.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has raised alarm over a dramatic spike in the cost of Jet A1 fuel, which surged from ₦900 per litre in late February to ₦3,300 within a matter of weeks, an increase of over 300 per cent.
In a letter addressed to Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the AON argued that the increase is unjustified, noting that global crude oil prices have only risen by about 30 per cent within the same period.
Airlines Warn of Imminent Shutdown Beginning April 20
The association warned that if urgent action is not taken, airlines across Nigeria will be forced to suspend operations from April 20, 2026, as revenues can no longer cover the soaring cost of aviation fuel.
AON disclosed that the crisis is already taking a toll, revealing that at least one airline has grounded its operations since March 13 due to the fuel price surge, with more carriers at risk of following suit.
The group cautioned that a shutdown of airline operations could have far-reaching consequences, including disruption of livelihoods, financial instability, and heightened security risks across the country.
