ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- There are growing signs that domestic airlines in Nigeria may suspend operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, over what operators describe as unbearable and unsustainable aviation fuel prices, raising fresh concerns about widespread travel disruption nationwide.
Industry sources say that after engaging both the Federal Government and oil marketers without reaching a resolution, airlines may have no choice but to ground flights by Thursday.
The potential shutdown follows repeated complaints from operators, who say the price of Jet A1 has surged by more than 300 per cent since February, pushing operating costs to critical levels. Passengers who depend on domestic flights for business and urgent travel are now facing uncertainty.
In an effort to avert the crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, held a meeting with airline operators and fuel marketers in Abuja last week.
However, findings show the tripartite talks ended without agreement, as operators refused to shift their position without concrete action.
At the end of the two-day meeting, the minister announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related taxes to ease pressure on airlines. While operators acknowledged the move, they insist it does not address the core issue.
READ ALSO: Turkish Airlines Reaffirms Commitment To Employees Welfare
Speaking on the first day of the meeting, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, welcomed the government’s intervention but insisted fuel marketers must explain the sharp increase in prices.
Onyema said, “This government has helped the industry more than anyone since 1999, and the President is even willing to waive 30 per cent of the debts airlines are owing.
“But the truth is that the marketers must be brought to book to explain how they came about the 300 per cent increase when even Dangote is surprised because what he is selling to us is still the cheapest.”
At the end of the second day, Onyema issued a strong warning, giving a seven-day ultimatum from midnight last Thursday for action to be taken.
“Since the advent of the US-Iran war, there has been a spike in aviation fuel in Nigeria, which we, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, feel is not proportionate to the hike internationally.
“We expect that in the next 48 hours something drastic should be done because no airline will fly in this country in the next seven days if nothing is done, not because they don’t want to fly, but because fuel may not be available to us at sustainable pricing.”
Providing further details on the financial strain, Onyema disclosed that fuel prices have jumped from about N900 per litre before the crisis to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some marketers selling as high as N3,500.
“Before the crisis, we were buying fuel at about N900 per litre. Now it has risen to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some selling as high as N3,300 to N3,500,” he said.
According to him, airlines are now operating mainly to cover fuel costs. “All the airlines in Nigeria have been flying to pay fuel marketers only, and you don’t want to compromise safety,” he added.
Despite speculation about debts, senior airline officials who spoke anonymously on Sunday said operators are up to date with payments to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
It was also gathered that in a document, the Airline Operators of Nigeria formally requested additional relief measures from the government.
In a letter dated April 21 and signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, the group called for the immediate suspension of aviation taxes, fees, and charges for at least six months.
The operators warned that the sharp rise in fuel costs threatens not only airline operations but also jobs and the stability of the aviation sector.
READ ALSO: United Nigeria Airlines Grounds Aircraft After Bird Strike
Among other proposals, the AON suggested introducing a non-taxable fuel surcharge, a common practice in international aviation to help manage rising costs.
They also urged the government to direct oil marketers to issue credit notes to airlines affected by what they described as excessive and arbitrary price increases.
Additionally, the group called for the creation of an industry tax reform committee to review existing charges, assess their relevance, and align them with global standards.
As the deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to loom over Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Another airline executive, who spoke anonymously on Sunday due to lack of authorisation to comment publicly, warned that the shutdown threat remains real.
“If nothing is done, no airline will be flying by Thursday,” he said.