• Nigerian airlines may suspend operations from April 20, 2026 as Jet A1 price reportedly rose from N900 to N3,300 per litre in weeks
• One airline has already suspended operations since March 13
• Airline operators of Nigeria warned that more airlines could stop flying without urgent intervention

The Airline Operators of Nigeria has warned that domestic airlines across the country may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, over what it described as the persistent and unsustainable rise in the cost of Jet A1, also known as aviation fuel.

In a notice signed by its President, Dr Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, the airline body said the price of aviation fuel had surged from about N900 per litre as of February 28 to N3,300 per litre in April.

According to the group, the increase represents more than a 300 per cent rise within a matter of weeks, placing severe pressure on airlines’ operating costs.

The operators argued that the increase was largely driven by fuel marketers and did not reflect international crude oil trends, which they said had risen by only about 30 per cent within the same period.

The association said airlines had continued operations over the last four weeks despite the mounting costs out of patriotism and a sense of responsibility to the nation, but warned that the burden had now become unbearable.

“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily.

“The actions of fuel marketers are putting the aviation industry and the nation’s economy, safety and security at risk, as airlines are being forced to consider suspending operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this increase has already affected one airline, forcing it to suspend operations since March 13,” Sarina said.

The AON said the sharp increase in Jet A1 prices was already taking a toll on the aviation industry, revealing that at least one airline had grounded operations due to the worsening fuel situation.

It warned that more carriers could follow if urgent intervention is not made.

“Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance,” the letter stated, cautioning that the current fuel pricing regime is “unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing.”

The group further warned that airlines are now faced with difficult choices, as raising ticket prices to match the rising fuel costs could lead to lower passenger turnout, while shutting down operations entirely would create even bigger economic consequences.

“We urge marketers to adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current rates,” Sarina said.

The airline operators noted that a shutdown of domestic flight operations would affect jobs, disrupt financial institutions, weaken national security and impact millions of livelihoods across the country.

“Accordingly, we hereby give notice that 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,” the letter stated.

Copies of the notice were sent to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, Festus Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities.

TUC proposes use of excess crude revenue to tackle rising fuel prices

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria called on the Federal Government to deploy excess crude oil revenue to subsidise local refineries as part of efforts to ease the burden of rising fuel prices on Nigerians.

The TUC President, Festus Osifo, warned that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) could rise to as high as N2,000 per litre if urgent intervention measures are not implemented.

Osifo attributed the steady increase in fuel prices to a combination of global crude oil volatility and exchange rate instability, both of which have intensified economic hardship for Nigerian workers.