Domestic airlines in Nigeria are threatening to suspend flight operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, over what they describe as unbearable aviation fuel costs, raising fears of nationwide travel disruptions.
Industry sources say repeated meetings between airline operators, government officials, and fuel marketers have failed to produce a workable solution, leaving carriers with little option but to ground aircraft.
Operators report that the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel has risen by more than 300 per cent in recent months, pushing operating expenses beyond sustainable levels and severely straining airline finances.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently convened emergency talks in Abuja aimed at resolving the crisis.
Although the government announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related taxes, airline operators insist the measure does not address the core issue of fuel pricing.
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Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, said airlines are being pushed to the edge, noting that fuel prices have jumped from about N900 per litre to as high as N3,500 in some locations.
He warned that without urgent intervention, carriers may be forced to shut down operations within days. He further stressed that airlines are spending most of their revenue on fuel purchases, leaving little room to maintain safe and reliable operations.
Despite speculation about debts to aviation agencies, operators maintain they are meeting their obligations. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also called for broader reforms, including suspension of taxes, introduction of fuel surcharges, and stricter regulation of pricing in the sector.
As the deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to grow over the future of domestic air travel in the country.
