By Cosmas Okereafor
Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), has raised the alarm saying that, operators of local carrier may down tools due to high cost of operations, the operators are facing currently. The body earlier wrote to the relevant authorities where it stated the challenge bedevilling airlines in the recent times which had already forced one of their own to halt flight operations.The body called on the government to quickly do something to avert the looming danger in the industry.They said the price of Jet A1 has risen significantly from the initial ₦900/litre as at February 28, 2026, to ₦3,300/litre as at today. This according to them represents an increase of over 300% which it stated is not in consonance with the rise in crude oil that went up due to the war between America and Iran.
“For the past four (4) weeks, airlines have endured 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.”Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily. The situation continues to deteriorate.The actions of fuel marketers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk, as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations. For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already severely impacted one airline, forcing it to ground all operations since March 13, 2026.
This may become inevitable for other airlines if the situation does not change immediately.Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance. The continued arbitrary rise in jet fuel prices is both unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing. Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy”.The body went further to say that if ticket prices are adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, that no airline will carry full load adding that financial institutions will be badly impacted if airlines stops operation as millions of passengers also will equally suffer untold hardships.” if airlines cease operations, financial institutions will be impacted, millions of livelihoods will be lost, and insecurity may increase.
We therefore urge you to prevail on 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”, it stressed.AON which says its deadline expires onMonday, April 20, 2026, in a letter signed by Alhaji (Dr), Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, FSAN, confirmed that such letters were copied to the office of the president and other relevant authorities, while they await speedy action, based on the urgency of the matter.
