Nigeria’s domestic airlines have warned they may suspend flight operations nationwide from Sunday, April 20, 2026, over the sharp and sustained rise in aviation fuel prices.
The warning was issued in a letter dated Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, which said the industry is facing an escalating cost crisis that has left carriers under severe financial strain.
According to the association, the price of Jet A1 has surged in recent weeks from about ₦900–₦1,000 per litre to between ₦2,500 and ₦3,300 per litre in different locations, depending on supply channels and logistics costs.
It said the increase has significantly distorted airline operating costs and is not reflective of global market movements.
Operators said fuel now accounts for the largest share of airline expenditure, adding that ticket revenue is no longer sufficient to cover fuel costs alone.
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This, they said, has left airlines unable to meet other critical obligations including maintenance, staff salaries, insurance, and aircraft leasing.
The association noted that airlines have continued operations at a loss in order to avoid abrupt fare increases that could further weaken passenger demand, but stressed that the situation has now become unsustainable.
It also disclosed that at least one domestic carrier has already scaled down or suspended operations in recent weeks due to the cost pressure, describing it as an early warning sign of deeper instability in the sector.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria warned that unless urgent steps are taken to stabilize Jet A1 pricing and improve supply consistency, member airlines may be forced to ground operations nationwide from April 20, 2026.
Such a shutdown, it said, would severely disrupt domestic travel, business movement, and logistics operations, with wider economic implications for the country.
The association urged relevant authorities and stakeholders in the aviation fuel supply chain to intervene immediately, warning that the sector is now operating at a critical breaking point.