By Frontline Reporters | April 15, 2026
Nigeria’s aviation sector is on the brink of a major disruption as the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warns that airlines nationwide may suspend operations from April 20 over an unprecedented surge in jet fuel prices.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong, the operators described the spike in the cost of Jet A1 fuel as “astronomical and unsustainable.”
According to AON, aviation fuel prices have skyrocketed from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to a staggering ₦3,300 per litre—representing an increase of over 300 per cent within a matter of weeks. The group insists the surge is “artificial” and sharply out of sync with global oil price trends, which have only risen by about 30 per cent in the same period.
Despite mounting losses, airlines say they have continued operations for over a month out of “patriotism” and commitment to national service. But that buffer, they warn, has now been exhausted.
“Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone. The situation has reached a point where continued operations are no longer viable,” the letter stated.
The operators accused fuel marketers of pushing the aviation industry to the edge, warning that the ripple effects could extend far beyond airlines to the broader economy, safety architecture, and national security.
Signs of strain are already evident. AON disclosed that at least one airline has grounded its fleet since March 13 due to the soaring fuel costs, with more carriers likely to follow if the situation persists.
Describing aviation as a “sector of strategic national importance,” the group warned that the current pricing regime is “detrimental to national wellbeing.”
A Sector at Breaking Point
Airlines now face a stark dilemma: increase ticket fares to match fuel costs and risk losing passengers, or halt operations entirely—with potentially severe consequences for businesses, jobs, and mobility across the country.
AON cautioned that a shutdown would disrupt financial systems, affect millions of livelihoods, and could even exacerbate insecurity due to reduced connectivity.
Issuing what it called a final notice, the association urged MEMAN to urgently intervene and align jet fuel prices with international realities.
“If this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be compelled to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal.”
Top government officials, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, aviation regulators, and security agencies, have been notified—raising expectations of swift intervention.
As the deadline approaches, industry stakeholders and passengers alike are watching closely, with the fate of Nigeria’s already fragile aviation sector hanging in the balance.
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