Nigeria’s aviation industry is facing a potential nationwide disruption as the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has issued an urgent warning that airlines may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, if the soaring cost of Jet A1 fuel is not immediately addressed.
In a strongly worded communication signed by AON President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the association disclosed that the price of aviation fuel has risen sharply from ₦900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to about ₦3,300 per litre—a more than 300 percent increase within a matter of weeks.
The operators described the spike as “astronomical and artificial,” noting that it far exceeds global market trends, where crude oil prices have only increased by about 30 percent. According to AON, airlines have continued operations over the past four weeks despite the rising costs, but the burden has now become unsustainable.
The group warned that current airline revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, let alone other operational costs, pushing operators to the brink of collapse. It added that the actions of fuel marketers are “decimating the aviation industry” and could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy, safety, and national security.
AON revealed that the crisis has already forced one airline to suspend operations since March 13, 2026, with fears that more carriers may follow if urgent intervention is not made.
The association further highlighted the dilemma facing operators, noting that increasing ticket prices to match fuel costs could lead to low passenger demand, while shutting down operations would trigger job losses, financial strain on lenders, and heightened economic risks.
Describing aviation as a sector of strategic national importance, AON called on authorities to compel fuel marketers to align Jet A1 prices with international benchmarks.
The association stressed that failure to act promptly could result in a complete shutdown of airline operations nationwide, marking what it described as a “final appeal” to avert a looming crisis in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
