Amid rising aviation fuel costs, the Nigerian Federal Government has urged airline operators to hold off on increasing airfares or suspending flights, warning that such moves could severely impact the travelling public and the broader economy.
In a letter to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo highlighted a sharp surge in Jet A1 fuel prices, which jumped from ₦900 per litre on February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre by April 16 — a 300 per cent spike within weeks. While acknowledging the strain this places on operators, he cautioned that immediate fare hikes would reduce air travel accessibility and suppress demand, while halting flights would disrupt logistics, erode public confidence, and undermine ongoing reforms in the sector.
Keyamo announced an emergency high-level stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 22 in Abuja, aimed at finding a swift and sustainable resolution. He reassured operators that their concerns had received full government attention and that steps would be taken to address the crisis.
Airline operators had earlier warned they might suspend operations from April 20, citing the price surge as “astronomical and unsustainable.” They argued the hike far outstripped global crude oil price increases of about 30 per cent and accused fuel marketers of artificially inflating costs, threatening the viability of the aviation industry and broader economic stability.
In response, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) attributed the spike to global geopolitical tensions, particularly Middle East conflicts, which have disrupted supply chains and increased transport costs by up to 50 per cent. MEMAN stressed that aviation fuel requires stricter safety and handling protocols, making distribution more costly. It also disputed the ₦3,300 per litre claim, suggesting more competitive pricing exists, and encouraged airlines to adopt longer-term supply contracts to stabilise costs.
The government has reiterated that the aviation sector remains a strategic national asset essential for trade, security, employment, and economic integration, and has pledged to support local operators as part of broader reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
