Domestic airlines in Nigeria have threatened to suspend operations nationwide from Monday, April 20, 2026, over the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.
The warning was issued in a letter dated April 14, 2026, signed by the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina.
The letter was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, with copies sent to top government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the association, the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel has surged from about ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to over ₦3,300 per litre—representing an increase of more than 300 percent.
The AON described the situation as unsustainable, noting that the latest correspondence is a follow-up to an earlier letter dated March 30, 2026, titled “Urgent Call for Proportionate Review of Jet A1 Price.”
In the letter, the association warned: “If the current trend persists, all the airlines in Nigeria will be forced to suspend operations with effect from Monday, April 20, 2026. This is our final plea.”
The group emphasized that aviation fuel accounts for over 40 percent of airlines’ operational costs, adding that the steep increase has severely strained revenues and pushed operators to the brink of collapse.
“The airlines are now facing existential threats with grave attendant consequences to the overall well-being of the nation. If we price our tickets to reflect the current price of aviation fuel, we will be flying empty planes,” the statement read.
The AON also revealed that at least one airline has already suspended operations since March 13, 2026, warning that others may follow if urgent action is not taken.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already seriously impacted a particular airline and forced it to ground all its operations since March 13, 2026. This is an inevitable consequence for all other airlines if the situation does not change immediately,” the association stated.
The airlines further accused fuel marketers of exploiting global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, to inflate prices beyond what is justified by international market trends.
While global crude oil prices have reportedly risen by about 30 percent, the association argued that the more than 300 percent increase in Jet A1 prices in Nigeria is excessive and unjustifiable.
The AON warned of severe economic consequences should airline operations shut down, noting that multiple sectors would be affected.
“If the airlines go out of business, banks will take a hit, millions of people will lose their means of livelihood, and insecurity will be on the rise,” the statement added.
The association, therefore, called on marketers to urgently intervene and align aviation fuel pricing with global benchmarks to avert a nationwide disruption in air travel.