Domestic airlines in Nigeria have threatened to shut down from Monday, April 20, 2026, over an increase in the price of aviation fuel.
This was disclosed in a letter dated April 14, 2026, by the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Abdulmunaf Sarina.
The letter was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr. Clement Isong, top government officials were copied to it, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the AON, the price of Jet A1 has risen from N900 per litre as of February 28 to over N3,300 per litre – an increase of more than 300 per cent.
The airlines warned that the situation has become unsustainable.
The recent letter by the AON was a follow-up to the one earlier written on March 30, 2026 with the heading, “Urgent Call for Proportionate Review of Jet A1 Price.”
In the follow-up letter, AON said, “Therefore, we hereby give notice that 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 AON stressed that aviation fuel, which accounts for over 40 per cent of operational costs, has severely impacted airline revenues, pushing operators to the brink.
“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,” it said.
The association disclosed that one airline has already been forced to suspend operations since March 13, 2026, warning that others could 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 airlines also accused fuel marketers of taking advantage of global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, to inflate prices beyond what is justified by international market trends.
“The actions of fuel marketers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the country’s economy, safety, and security at risk as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations,” it said.
They argued that while global crude oil prices have risen by about 30 per cent, the over 300 per cent increase in Jet A1 prices in Nigeria is excessive and unjustifiable.
The AON further warned of the wider economic implications of a shutdown, noting that the collapse of airline operations would affect multiple sectors.
“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 association urged the marketers to urgently intervene and ensure that aviation fuel prices are adjusted in line with global benchmarks.
