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Owners of domestic airlines under the aegis of Air Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Wednesday threatened to seize operations if the price of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet A1 is not reduced from the current N3,300 per litre.
Air Peace, United Nigeria Air, ValueJet, Aero Contractors and other airlines are among the national airline operators.
The traders, in a letter addressed to Mr Clement Isong, Executive Secretary/Executive Officer, Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, called for an urgent proportional review of the price of the product.
The letter read in part: “Our letter dated March 30, 2026, on the above subject refers. Let us further point out to you that the price of Jet A1 sold by marketers has increased significantly from the initial ₦900/litre on February 28, 2026, to ₦3,300/litre on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
According to them, “This represents an increase of more than 300%. This astronomical and artificial increase is not commensurate with the increase in crude oil prices and is well above international market benchmarks, which reflect approximately a 30% increase in the cost of crude oil.”
“For the past four (4) weeks, airlines have borne this burden and continued operations out of patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation. However, the situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable.”
While lamenting the negative effects of the development on operating costs, AON said: “Currently, airline revenues are not sufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is just one of many operational expenses incurred on a daily basis. The situation continues to deteriorate.
“The actions of fuel sellers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy and security at risk, as airlines are gradually forced to suspend operations.”
An electronic document made available to journalists and signed by AON President Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa notes that “For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already had a serious impact on the airline, forcing it to suspend all operations from 13 March 2026. This may become inevitable for other airlines if the situation does not change immediately.”
They further stated that “aviation remains an industry of strategic national importance. The continued arbitrary increase in jet fuel prices is both unhealthy and harmful to national well-being. Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy.
“If ticket prices were adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, flights would operate with low passenger loads. Conversely, if airlines ceased operations, financial institutions would suffer, millions of livelihoods would be lost and insecurity could increase.
“We therefore urge you to convince marketers to proportionately adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current exorbitant rates.”
The document was copied by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the
Director General, Department of State Services.
He added that “Accordingly, we hereby convey that if this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be forced to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal.”
Jet fuel and other petroleum products, including vehicle fuel and diesel, have also risen in recent weeks.
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