Air passengers across Nigeria may soon face travel disruptions as domestic airlines have warned of a possible nationwide suspension of flight operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, over the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.
The warning was issued in a letter dated April 14, 2026, by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and signed by its President, Abdulmunaf Sarina.
The letter was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong, with copies sent to top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu.
According to the association, the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel has surged from about N900 per litre in February 2026 to over N3,300 per litre, representing an increase of more than 300 per cent.
The AON described the development as critical, noting that aviation fuel accounts for over 40 percent of airline operating costs, placing severe financial pressure on operators.
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The group warned that if the trend continues, airlines may be forced to shut down operations nationwide, stressing that the situation has reached a breaking point.
“This is our final plea,” the association stated, while recalling an earlier appeal sent on March 30, 2026, calling for an urgent review of Jet A1 pricing.
AON further disclosed that at least one airline has already suspended operations since March 13, 2026, warning that others may follow if immediate intervention is not taken.
The association also accused some fuel marketers of taking advantage of global market tensions, particularly in the Middle East, to justify excessive price increases.
It argued that while global crude oil prices have risen by about 30 percent, the over 300 percent increase in Nigeria is “arbitrary and unjustifiable.”
The operators warned that a nationwide shutdown would have severe economic consequences, including job losses, banking sector exposure, and heightened insecurity.
“If the airlines go out of business, banks will take a hit, millions of people will lose their means of livelihood, and insecurity will rise,” the association cautioned.
The group urged urgent government and stakeholder intervention to stabilize aviation fuel pricing and prevent a looming aviation crisis.
