Domestic airlines in Nigeria are on the brink of suspending operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, following a steep rise in aviation fuel costs, industry sources have revealed.
Operators say the soaring price of Jet A1 fuel, now up by more than 300 per cent since February, has made continued operations financially unsustainable, raising concerns over widespread disruption to air travel across the country.
Despite recent engagements with the Federal Government and fuel marketers, no resolution has been reached. A high-level meeting convened last week in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, ended without agreement, further heightening tensions within the sector.
As part of efforts to ease the burden, the Federal Government announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related taxes. However, airline operators argue that the measure does not adequately address the core issue of escalating fuel prices.
Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, expressed concern over the disparity between global fuel price trends and the sharp increase experienced locally. He called on fuel marketers to justify the surge, noting that prices have jumped from about ₦900 per litre to as high as ₦3,500 in some cases.
According to Onyema, airlines are now operating primarily to offset fuel expenses, a situation he described as unsustainable and potentially unsafe if cost pressures persist.
Following the inconclusive talks, operators issued a seven-day ultimatum last Thursday, warning that failure to address the crisis would result in a complete shutdown of domestic flights.
Further compounding the issue, airline executives insist that operators are not in debt to key aviation agencies, contrary to speculation. Instead, they maintain that the unprecedented fuel costs are the primary threat to the industry’s survival.
In a formal communication dated April 21, the Airline Operators of Nigeria outlined additional measures to mitigate the crisis. These include a six-month suspension of aviation taxes and charges, the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge, and the issuance of credit notes by fuel marketers to affected airlines.
The group also proposed the creation of an industry tax reform committee to review existing charges and align them with international standards.
With the deadline fast approaching, uncertainty looms over Nigeria’s aviation sector. Industry stakeholders warn that unless urgent action is taken, domestic air travel could come to a halt, with significant implications for business, commerce, and passenger mobility nationwide.
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