Nigerian airlines have threatened to suspend operations nationwide from April 20, 2026, following a sharp surge in Jet A1 prices that has pushed aviation fuel above N3,000 per litre.
The development was reported by Channels TV on Wednesday, citing a letter from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).
The operators said the situation has made flight operations increasingly unsustainable, with airlines struggling to absorb the sharp increase in costs.
They warned that without urgent intervention, the industry could face a coordinated shutdown that would disrupt air travel across the country.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said airlines will be forced to suspend operations from April 20, 2026, if the current jet fuel price trend continues. The group described the notice as a final appeal after weeks of absorbing rising operational costs.
They added that the spike is “artificial” and far above global crude oil trends, which rose by about 30 per cent in the same period.
AON further noted that airlines had continued operating for weeks out of patriotism, but said the burden had become unsustainable. It warned that the pricing situation is already “decimating the aviation industry” and could affect national security, the economy, and millions of livelihoods if not addressed.
The warning comes weeks after industry stakeholders already raised concerns that rising Jet A1 prices were putting pressure on airline operations.
At the time, aviation fuel had crossed N2,000 per litre, prompting expectations of fare increases and possible flight reductions.
Industry players also noted that fuel marketers have struggled to consistently restock aviation fuel in recent weeks.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has projected that African airlines will remain marginally profitable in 2026, even with a 6% increase in passenger traffic. However, the region continues to face some of the highest operating costs globally, leaving airlines with extremely thin margins.
African carriers are projected to record a net profit of about $0.2 billion in 2026. The region operates with an average net margin of about -1%.
The spike in jet fuel prices, which has impacted the aviation industry globally, further strains an aviation industry driven by thin margins.
