16, April 2026
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warns airlines may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, due to the “astronomical and unsustainable” rise in Jet A1 fuel prices.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wrote to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr. Clement Isong, highlighting the alarming rise in Jet A1 fuel prices. According to AON, the cost of aviation fuel has skyrocketed from ₦900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to ₦3,300 per litre, marking a staggering increase of over 300% within a matter of weeks.
This drastic surge he said has put the aviation industry on the brink of collapse, prompting AON to sound the alarm and warn of a possible shutdown of airline operations.
According to the body, the spike is “artificial” and far exceeds global trends, noting that international crude oil prices have risen by only about 30 per cent within the same period.
‘Detrimental to national wellbeing’
The operators said airlines have continued to absorb the rising costs for over four weeks out of “patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation,” but they warned that the burden is no longer manageable.
“Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone,” the letter stated, adding that the situation has deteriorated to the point where continued operations are no longer viable.
The group warned that the actions of fuel marketers are “decimating the aviation industry” and pose broader risks to Nigeria’s economy, safety, and national security.
The AON revealed that the impact of the price surge is already being felt across the sector, disclosing that one airline has grounded all operations since March 13, 2026, due to the rising cost of fuel.
It warned that more carriers could follow if urgent action is not taken.
“Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance,” the letter stressed, cautioning that the current pricing regime is “unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing.”
Final Notice to Marketers
The airline operators outlined the difficult choices facing the industry: raising ticket prices to reflect fuel costs could lead to low passenger turnout, while suspending operations entirely would have far-reaching consequences.
They warned that a shutdown would impact financial institutions, disrupt millions of livelihoods, and potentially worsen insecurity across the country.
The AON called on MEMAN to intervene and ensure that jet fuel prices are adjusted in line with international market realities, insisting that airlines can no longer sustain purchases at current rates.
“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.
Top government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Department of State Services, were copied in the letter.
The ball is now in the court of fuel marketers and government authorities. We await how they respond to this crisis.
The aviation sector’s stability is at stake, and passengers are watching
