Operators give government ultimatum over 300% jet fuel price surge, warn nationwide flight suspension could begin Thursday

Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is teetering on the brink of a nationwide shutdown, as airline operators warn they may suspend all flights starting Thursday, April 30, 2026, over the soaring cost of aviation fuel.

Under the stark warning, “No Fuel, No Flights,” operators say the situation has reached a breaking point, with continued operations now financially unsustainable. The looming action has triggered widespread concern among passengers, businesses, and stakeholders who rely heavily on domestic air travel.

Despite ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and fuel marketers, no concrete resolution has emerged, leaving airlines with few options as the deadline approaches.

At the heart of the crisis is the dramatic spike in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which industry players say has surged by more than 300 percent since February. What previously sold for about ₦900 per litre now ranges between ₦2,700 and ₦2,900, with some suppliers charging as high as ₦3,500. The sharp increase has significantly inflated operating costs, pushing airlines to the edge.

Passengers are already bracing for disruption, with many scrambling for alternative travel plans amid fears of widespread cancellations.

In a bid to resolve the impasse, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, convened a two-day meeting in Abuja with airline operators and fuel marketers. However, the talks ended without agreement.

Although the minister announced a 30 percent reduction in aviation-related taxes to ease pressure on operators, airline executives insist the measure falls short of addressing the core issue—fuel pricing.

Allen Onyema, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), acknowledged government efforts but stressed that urgent intervention is needed to regulate fuel costs.

“This government has supported the industry more than any other since 1999,” Onyema said. “But marketers must explain how prices rose by over 300 percent, especially when even Dangote’s supply remains the cheapest.”

He warned that airlines have issued a firm ultimatum, stressing that failure to act within days could ground the entire sector.

“Within the next 48 hours, something drastic must be done,” Onyema said. “If not, no airline will operate in this country in the next seven days—not by choice, but because fuel will either be unavailable or unaffordable.”

He further revealed that airlines are now operating largely to service fuel costs, leaving little room for sustainability or safety margins.

“All the airlines are essentially flying to pay fuel marketers. But safety cannot be compromised,” he added.

Operators also dismissed concerns over outstanding debts, noting that payments to key aviation agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are up to date.

In a formal appeal dated April 21, the AON urged the Federal Government to implement emergency relief measures, including a six-month suspension of aviation taxes, fees, and charges.

The group also proposed introducing a non-taxable fuel surcharge—a global industry practice—to help airlines manage rising costs without halting operations. Additionally, they called for credit support from fuel marketers and the creation of a review committee to align aviation charges with international standards.

As uncertainty deepens, industry insiders say the shutdown threat is not mere rhetoric.

“If nothing is done, no airline will be flying by Thursday,” a senior airline executive warned anonymously.

With the clock ticking, the fate of Nigeria’s domestic air travel now hinges on urgent intervention to avert what could become a full-scale aviation crisis.