Airlines in Nigeria may suspend operations from April 20 as the cost of aviation fuel continues to skyrocket, industry operators have warned.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said the price of Jet A1 fuel has jumped sharply in recent weeks from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300, marking an increase of more than 300 percent.
In a letter addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the group described the spike as “astronomical” and out of sync with global oil trends, noting that international crude prices have risen by only around 30 percent within the same period.
Airline operators say they have tried to absorb the rising costs for weeks, but the situation has now become unsustainable.
“Revenue from operations can no longer cover fuel costs alone,” the group said, warning that continued operations under the current conditions are no longer viable.
The impact is already being felt across the sector.
According to the AON, at least one airline has grounded its operations since mid-March due to fuel costs, and others could soon follow.
Operators also warned that a shutdown would have serious ripple effects across the economy affecting jobs, financial institutions, and even national security.
They say they are left with two difficult options: increase ticket prices, which could drive passengers away, or halt operations entirely.
The group has now issued what it calls a final notice, urging fuel marketers to adjust prices in line with global realities.
Top government officials, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, have been notified as stakeholders await an urgent response to avert a potential shutdown of the aviation sector.
