The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is currently holding a crucial meeting with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, oil marketers, and airline operators in a bid to address the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The engagement follows growing concerns from airline operators over the sharp and unsustainable increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has risen by more than 300 percent in recent weeks. The Federal Government’s intervention is aimed at stabilising the sector and preventing a potential disruption to air travel across the country.
Airline operators had earlier warned of a possible shutdown of operations if urgent measures were not taken to address the rising cost of aviation fuel. In a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, the Airline Operators of Nigeria stated that the price of Jet A1 surged from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre within a matter of weeks.
The operators described the increase as excessive and inconsistent with global market trends, noting that international crude oil prices recorded only about a 30 percent rise within the same period. They maintained that the current pricing structure appears artificial and unjustifiable.
According to the group, airlines have continued operations for over four weeks despite mounting losses, driven by a sense of national responsibility. However, they warned that the situation has reached a critical point, as revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel costs.
The operators also raised concerns over the broader implications of the crisis, accusing fuel marketers of undermining the aviation industry. They cautioned that the situation poses significant risks to the country’s economy, aviation safety, and national security.
Highlighting the severity of the impact, the association revealed that one airline has already suspended all operations since March 13, 2026, due to the escalating fuel prices, with fears that more carriers may follow if urgent intervention is not implemented.
They reiterated that aviation remains a vital sector to national development and warned that the current fuel pricing regime is detrimental to the overall wellbeing of the country.
FG Moves to Avert Flight Disruptions as Keyamo Meets Oil Marketers, Airline Operators Over Jet Fuel Crisis
