Nigeria’s domestic airlines will suspend all flight operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, if marketers fail to cut the price of Jet A1, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warned in a final appeal to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria on Tuesday.
In a letter signed by AON President Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the operators said the cost of aviation fuel has risen from ₦900 per litre on February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre as of April 14, an increase of over 300% that is “not commensurate with the rise in crude oil prices” and sits “well above international market benchmarks,” which show roughly a 30% rise in crude.
AON said airlines have absorbed the burden for four weeks “out of patriotism” but the situation is now “unbearable and clearly unsustainable,” with revenues unable to cover fuel alone.
The group disclosed that one carrier has already grounded all operations since March 13 due to the price spike, warning that others may follow.
“If ticket prices are adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, flights will operate with low passenger loads. Conversely, if airlines cease operations, financial institutions will be impacted, millions of livelihoods will be lost, and insecurity may increase,” the letter stated.
The association called the continued rise “detrimental to national wellbeing” and said the actions of fuel marketers are “effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk.”
AON urged marketers to “proportionately adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities,” adding that the April 14 letter serves as notice of a total suspension of operations effective April 20 if the trend persists.
The appeal was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA Director General, and the DSS Director General.
Jet A1 accounts for 30 to 40 percent of airline operating costs globally. A shutdown by all Nigerian carriers would halt scheduled domestic flights nationwide, affecting business travel, cargo, and connecting international passengers.
