The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) says, the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices is alarming, warning the situation could force a nationwide shutdown of airline operations within days unless urgent measures are taken.
In a strongly worded letter dated April 14, 2026, the AON accused fuel marketers of imposing what it described as an “astronomical and artificial” increase in the price of Jet A1, which has surged from ₦900 per litre at the end of February to about ₦3,300 per litre.
The group argued that the over 300 percent spike far exceeds global crude oil price trends, which have risen by roughly 30 percent within the same period.
The letter, addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, said domestic airlines have absorbed the rising costs for weeks out of national duty but warned that the situation has now become unsustainable.
According to the operators, current revenues can no longer cover fuel expenses alone, pushing airlines closer to operational collapse.
AON noted that the impact is already being felt across the sector, revealing that one carrier has been forced to halt operations since mid-March due to the fuel crisis, with others at risk of following suit if conditions do not improve immediately.
The group warned that the continued escalation in jet fuel prices threatens not only airline survival but also national economic stability, safety, and security.
The operators painted a grim outlook, explaining that increasing ticket fares to match fuel costs would likely result in low passenger demand, while grounding flights altogether could trigger widespread job losses, financial strain on lenders, and heightened insecurity.
Describing aviation as a critical pillar of the economy, AON urged marketers to align jet fuel prices with international benchmarks to prevent further damage to the industry.
It stressed that without immediate intervention, airlines would have no choice but to suspend operations nationwide.
The association gave notice that all Nigerian airlines may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, if the current pricing trend persists, raising fears of a looming paralysis in the country’s air transport sector.
The letter, signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, was copied to top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice president, Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as well as the heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of State Services.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen