Air travelers continue to encounter delays, suspensions and cancellations as airline operators grapple with a shortage of Jet‑A1 fuel.
At Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, passengers booked on United Nigeria Airlines flight UN0572 from Abuja to Benin were left stranded after the flight was repeatedly rescheduled. The flight was initially slated for 12:20 p.m. but was first moved to 4:20 p.m. When passengers gathered for the new departure time, an announcement shortly before 7:00 p.m. informed them that the flight would now depart at 7:00 a.m. the following day.
The affected travelers have received no assistance for overnight accommodation or onward transportation. One passenger, identified as Akporoba Monday Olomu, told Channels Television that he arrived at the airport at the original departure time, was asked to wait, and was later told by a manager to return the next morning at 7:00 a.m. He added that he requested the airline arrange accommodation or transport, but the request was denied.
The incident highlights the broader impact of the ongoing aviation fuel crunch, which has forced carriers across Nigeria to adjust schedules, reduce services and, in some cases, cancel flights. The shortage of Jet‑A1 fuel—a standard aviation gasoline—has been attributed to supply chain disruptions and limited domestic refining capacity. Airlines have been forced to prioritize routes, leading to passenger inconvenience and operational challenges.
The situation follows recent reports of other Nigerian carriers facing similar difficulties. Ibom Air, for example, warned of possible flight reductions due to rising aviation costs, underscoring the systemic pressures on the industry.
Regulatory authorities have not yet issued a directive on how airlines should manage passenger care during such fuel‑related disruptions. In the meantime, passengers affected by the Abuja‑Benin delay remain without resolved transportation or lodging arrangements.
The ongoing fuel shortage is expected to continue affecting flight operations in the region until supply issues are addressed, prompting calls for coordinated action among airlines, fuel suppliers and government agencies to mitigate further passenger disruption.
