The Federal Government of Nigeria has moved to prevent a total collapse of the air transport sector after the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) threatened a shutdown from April 20 over the rising cost of aviation fuel.
Following a formal notice from the Airline Operators which threatened a shutdown, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has issued an urgent appeal for restraint.
The operators cite a staggering 300% increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has surged from ₦900 per liter in February to as high as ₦3,300 per liter in April, rendering flight operations commercially unviable.
The price hike comes amid the instability in the Middle East since the United States and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran.
Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the president of AON, gave the warning in a notice dated April 14, addressed to Clement Isong, executive secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Department of State Services (DSS) were copied on the notice.
The association described the increase as “astronomical and artificial,” noting that it is not in line with global crude oil price benchmarks, which have recorded about a 30 percent increase.
“For the past four (4) weeks, airlines have endured this burden and continued operations out of patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation. However, the situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable,” the notice reads.
“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily. The situation continues to deteriorate.”
AON warned that the actions of fuel marketers are “decimating” the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk, as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations.
However, Keyamo on Friday has appealed to the airline operators after they threatened a shutdown.
Keyamo also scheduled a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting for Wednesday, April 22, in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution.
Keyamo, in a letter titled: ‘Three Hundred Per Cent Increase in Jet A1 Fuel: Appeal for Restraint on Airfare Adjustment and Suspension of Operations,’ dated April 16, 2026, and addressed to AON President, said: “I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per liter as at February 28, 2026 to N3.300 per liter as at today, representing a three hundred percent (300 per cent) increase.
“At the outset, I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.
“Let me reiterate that the administration of President Bola Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance. In line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration. You will also acknowledge that the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated unprecedented reforms in the sector aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of the businesses of local operators.
“In light of the foregoing, I am making the following appeals: First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport for a broad segment of Nigerians.
“Second, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector.
“I wish to formally assure you that the concerns raised by your members have received the full attention of the Federal Government and we shall take immediate steps to address the issues.
“Accordingly, a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution. The venue and time will be communicated in due course.”
