Domestic airlines in Nigeria are considering a nationwide shutdown from April 30, 2026, over soaring aviation fuel costs, raising fears of major travel disruptions.
Industry sources say operators may be forced to suspend flights after unsuccessful engagements with the Federal Government and fuel marketers aimed at addressing the sharp rise in Jet A1 prices.
The development comes amid complaints that fuel costs have surged by over 300 per cent since February, significantly increasing operational expenses and threatening the viability of airline services.
Passengers who depend on domestic flights for business and urgent travel are now facing uncertainty as the deadline approaches.
In an effort to resolve the crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently convened a meeting with airline operators and fuel marketers in Abuja. However, the discussions reportedly ended without a resolution, as operators insisted on more decisive action.
Following the two-day meeting, Keyamo announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related charges to ease financial pressure on airlines. While operators acknowledged the move, they argued it does not address the root cause of the crisis.
Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Allen Onyema, said fuel marketers must explain the steep increase in prices.
“This government has helped the industry more than anyone since 1999, and the President is even willing to waive 30 per cent of the debts airlines are owing.
“But the truth is that the marketers must be brought to book to explain how they came about the 300 per cent increase when even Dangote is surprised because what he is selling to us is still the cheapest.”
Onyema also issued a warning, giving a seven-day ultimatum for action to be taken.
“Since the advent of the US-Iran war, there has been a spike in aviation fuel in Nigeria, which we, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, feel is not proportionate to the hike internationally.
“We expect that in the next 48 hours something drastic should be done because no airline will fly in this country in the next seven days if nothing is done, not because they don’t want to fly, but because fuel may not be available to us at sustainable pricing.”
He further disclosed that prices have risen from about ₦900 per litre to between ₦2,700 and ₦2,900, with some marketers selling as high as ₦3,500.
“Before the crisis, we were buying fuel at about N900 per litre. Now it has risen to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some selling as high as N3,300 to N3,500.
“All the airlines in Nigeria have been flying to pay fuel marketers only, and you don’t want to compromise safety,” he added.
Despite speculation about indebtedness, airline officials maintain that operators are up to date with payments to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
In a letter dated April 21 and signed by AON President, Abdulmunaf Sarina, the group requested additional relief measures, including the temporary suspension of aviation taxes and charges for at least six months.
Operators also proposed introducing a non-taxable fuel surcharge and called for credit notes from fuel marketers to offset what they described as arbitrary price increases. They further recommended the establishment of a tax reform committee to align industry charges with global standards.
As the ultimatum nears expiration, uncertainty continues to loom over Nigeria’s aviation sector, with industry insiders warning that a shutdown remains imminent if no concrete action is taken.
