Domestic airlines in Nigeria are preparing to suspend flight operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, due to the rising cost of aviation fuel.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that operators in the aviation sector have been in discussions with the Federal Government and fuel suppliers, but no agreement has been reached. As a result, many airlines are considering grounding their fleets if the situation does not improve before the deadline.
The crisis follows a sharp increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has risen by more than three times compared to what airlines paid in February. This surge has made it difficult for operators to continue running flights without heavy losses.
Many passengers who depend on local flights for business and urgent travel now face uncertainty, as airlines warn that services may stop if fuel prices remain high.
Last week in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, held a meeting with airline operators and fuel marketers in an effort to find a solution. However, the talks ended without any agreement, as airlines maintained that stronger steps must be taken to address the fuel issue.
After the meeting, the government announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation taxes to support operators. While airlines welcomed the move, they said it does not solve the main problem of high fuel prices.
The Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, said operators are struggling to cope with the rising costs and believe fuel suppliers should explain the sudden increase in prices. He noted that even with government support, airlines cannot continue operating under the current conditions.
He also revealed that aviation fuel, which used to sell for about ₦900 per litre before the crisis, now costs between ₦2,700 and ₦2,900, with some suppliers charging up to ₦3,500 per litre. This sharp rise has forced airlines to spend most of their earnings on fuel alone while still trying to maintain safety standards.
Operators have denied claims that they owe major aviation agencies, stating that payments to bodies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency are up to date.
In a letter dated April 21, signed by Abdulmunaf Sarina, the airline group asked the government to take further steps to support the industry. These include suspending aviation-related taxes and charges for six months and allowing airlines to introduce a fuel surcharge that would not be taxed.
They also requested that fuel suppliers provide compensation to airlines affected by the price increases and called for the creation of a committee to review aviation taxes and align them with global practices.