Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has appealed to domestic airlines to suspend planned fare increases and threats to halt flight operations following a sharp rise in aviation fuel, Jet A1, which has surged from about ₦900 to over ₦3,000 per litre.
The minister’s intervention comes amid warnings from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who had threatened to suspend flight services next week over the escalating cost of Jet A1 fuel, which has risen by about 300 per cent.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the airline body, Keyamo acknowledged the operational difficulties facing carriers, noting the significant spike in fuel prices from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to approximately ₦3,300 per litre.
He commended airline operators for their resilience and commitment in maintaining air transport services under challenging conditions.
Keyamo stressed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regards the aviation sector as a critical national asset, essential to trade, security, employment, and economic integration.
While recognising the financial pressures on operators, the minister urged them to exercise restraint in passing costs on to passengers. He warned that any immediate increase in airfares would impose further hardship on Nigerians, reduce demand for air travel, and limit accessibility.
He also cautioned against any move to suspend flight operations, noting that such action would have serious consequences for the economy, disrupt logistics and mobility nationwide, and undermine public confidence as well as ongoing reforms in the sector.
Keyamo, however, assured stakeholders that the Federal Government is addressing their concerns and will take urgent steps to resolve the crisis.
He further announced that a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja to develop a “prompt, practical, and sustainable solution” to the situation.
Meanwhile, airline operators have warned that the industry may face a shutdown or significant fare hikes if government fails to intervene in the ongoing energy crisis affecting the aviation sector.
