Nigerian aviation sector on edge as fuel hike threatens flight operations

The Nigerian aviation sector is grappling with a severe crisis as airline operators threaten to suspend all domestic flight operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, in response to a staggering 300 percent increase in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel.

The price of Jet A1 has surged from N900 per liter on February 28, 2026, to an unprecedented N3,300 per liter as of April 16, 2026, pushing airline operational costs to unsustainable levels.

In a bid to avert the impending crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for restraint on both airfare adjustments and the planned
suspension of operations.

In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the President of the AON, Minister Keyamo acknowledged the prevailing cost pressures but emphasized the potential severe consequences of both fare hikes and flight suspensions.

In his letter, Minister Keyamo underscored the strategic importance of the aviation sector to Nigeria, aligning with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022.

He highlighted its critical role in trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration.
The Minister also referenced the ongoing reforms initiated by the President, Bola
Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of local operators.

Minister Keyamo made two key appeals to AON: Restraint on Airfare Adjustment: He urged airlines to exercise restraint regarding any proposed increase in airfares.

Keyamo noted that while cost pressures are acknowledged, an immediate upward adjustment would impose significant hardship on traveling public, potentially depressing demand, limiting accessibility to air transport for many Nigerians.
2. Reconsideration of Flight Suspension: He appealed for a reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations, warning that such an action would have far- reaching adverse implications for the national economy.

“It will disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine ongoing reforms within the aviation sector”.

To address the concerns raised by the airlines, the Minister formally assured the AON that the Federal Government is giving the matter its full attention.
Consequently, a highlevel emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22,
2026, in Abuja.

This meeting will bring together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with the objective of achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution to the crisis.

The venue and exact time of the meeting are to be communicated shortly. The impending shutdown, initially threatened for April 20, 2026, by the AON, has sent
ripples via the nation, raising concerns about economic disruption and public inconvenience.
The government’s swift intervention aims to de-escalate the situation and find a lasting solution to the volatile Jet A1 fuel prices that have plagued the industry.

Key Figures: Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FNIA, FCIArb (UK): Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON): Industry body representing Nigerian airlines, led by President Abdulmunaf Sarina.

Timeline of Events: April 14, 2026: AON sends a letter to the Minister of Aviation, detailing their operational challenges and threatening a shutdown.

April 16, 2026: Minister Keyamo responds with an appeal for restraint and announces an emergency meeting. April 20, 2026: Proposed date for suspension of flight operations by AON. April 22, 2026: Scheduled date for the high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting in
Abuja.