The planned shutdown, if implemented, could bring commercial flight operations to a standstill nationwide, disrupting passenger travel, cargo services, and critical logistics networks that depend heavily on air transport.
The development was reportedly conveyed in a letter dated April 14 from the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina, according to industry sources familiar with the communication. The decision reflects mounting frustration within the sector over the persistent rise in the cost of Jet A1 fuel, which airlines say has reached unsustainable levels.
Industry stakeholders argue that aviation fuel now constitutes a disproportionately large share of operating expenses, placing severe strain on carriers already battling thin margins, foreign exchange pressures, and rising maintenance costs. They further allege that fuel marketers have continued to impose arbitrary and unpredictable pricing, exacerbating operational instability across the sector.
Operators warn that without urgent corrective measures, many airlines may be forced out of service entirely, as cost pressures outpace revenue generation. The situation, they say, has left the industry with limited room for adjustment, particularly given the volatility of global oil markets and domestic supply constraints.
The proposed suspension has raised concerns about widespread disruption across multiple sectors of the economy. Beyond passenger inconvenience, analysts note that a prolonged grounding of flights could affect business travel, tourism flows, and time-sensitive cargo deliveries, with potential knock-on effects for trade and supply chains.
Aviation stakeholders are now calling on the federal government to intervene decisively, either by stabilising jet fuel pricing mechanisms or introducing targeted support measures to prevent a total shutdown of operations.
While discussions continue within the industry, there has yet to be any official response from regulators or fuel marketers. Analysts caution that failure to resolve the dispute quickly could trigger broader economic disruptions in Africa’s largest economy, where air transport plays a critical role in national connectivity and commerce.