The warning follows weeks of mounting tension within the aviation industry, where operators say repeated engagements with both the Federal Government and fuel marketers have failed to produce meaningful relief. With no breakthrough in sight, industry insiders suggest airlines may be forced into a temporary shutdown as a last resort.
At the center of the crisis is the dramatic rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has reportedly surged by more than 300 percent since February. This spike has placed enormous pressure on airline finances, pushing operating costs to critical levels and raising questions about the viability of continued operations under current conditions.
For passengers, the implications are immediate and unsettling. Many Nigerians depend on domestic flights for business, medical emergencies, and time-sensitive travel, and a widespread suspension would severely disrupt mobility nationwide.
In an effort to forestall the looming crisis, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently convened a high-level meeting in Abuja involving airline operators and fuel marketers. Despite the urgency of the situation, discussions ended without a resolution, with stakeholders unable to agree on concrete steps to address the fuel pricing issue.
As part of the government’s response, a 30 percent reduction in aviation-related taxes was announced following the meeting. While this measure was acknowledged by operators as a step in the right direction, industry leaders argue it does little to tackle the core challenge—the cost and availability of aviation fuel.
Speaking during the discussions, Allen Onyema, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, expressed appreciation for government support but insisted that fuel marketers must be held accountable for the sharp and, in his view, unjustified increase in prices. He noted that even major suppliers are reportedly surprised by the extent of the hike, which has far outpaced global trends.
Onyema also issued a firm warning, giving a seven-day ultimatum for decisive action. He linked the price surge partly to global tensions, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict, but maintained that the local price escalation appears disproportionate. Without intervention, he cautioned, airlines may have no choice but to halt operations—not out of preference, but due to the inability to access fuel at sustainable rates.
Providing further detail, Onyema revealed that the cost of aviation fuel has climbed from approximately ₦900 per litre before the crisis to between ₦2,700 and ₦2,900, with some suppliers charging as much as ₦3,500 per litre. At these levels, he explained, airlines are effectively operating just to cover fuel expenses, leaving little room for other critical costs, including maintenance and safety.
Despite speculation about financial mismanagement or debt, airline executives have dismissed such claims, stating that operators remain current on payments to key aviation agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
In a formal appeal to the government, the Airline Operators of Nigeria outlined a series of additional measures aimed at stabilizing the sector. These include a temporary suspension of aviation taxes and charges for at least six months, the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge to help offset rising costs, and directives requiring fuel marketers to issue credit notes to airlines affected by what operators describe as excessive pricing.
The group also proposed the creation of an industry tax reform committee to reassess existing levies and align Nigeria’s aviation cost structure with international standards.
As the deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to cloud the aviation landscape. Industry stakeholders warn that the threat of a shutdown is real and imminent, underscoring the urgency for swift and decisive action to prevent a nationwide disruption of air travel.