Following a substantial increase in the cost of aviation fuel, domestic airlines in Nigeria have threatened to halt operations starting on Monday, April 20, 2026, sparking concerns about a possible collapse of the nation’s aviation industry.
Abdulmunaf Sarina, President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), revealed the intended action in a letter dated April 14, 2026.
The group claims that in less than two months, the price of Jet A1 increased by more than 300 percent, from N900 per litre on February 28 to almost N3,300 per litre.
The airlines cautioned that the situation has grown unsustainable in a letter copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and addressed to Mr. Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).
The MEMAN Executive Secretary, however, quickly responded to the accusations of extortion made against marketers by telling Daily Trust that he was not aware of the prices being quoted by the airlines. He clarified that the price increase, which is not as bad as the figure being quoted by the airlines, was caused by the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted the global oil market.
The AON’s most recent letter, titled “Urgent Call for Proportionate Review of Jet A1 Price,” was a follow-up to the one that was previously written on March 30, 2026.
“Therefore, we hereby give notice that if the current trend persists, all the airlines in Nigeria will be forced to suspend operations with effect from Monday, April 20, 2026,” stated AON in the follow-up letter. This is our last request.
The AON emphasized that aviation fuel, which makes up more than 40% of operating expenses, has negatively affected airline revenues and put operators in danger.
It stated, “If we price our tickets to reflect the current price of aviation fuel, we will be flying empty planes. The airlines are now facing existential threats with grave attendant consequences to the overall well-being of the nation.”
According to the group, one airline has already been compelled to stop operations since March 13, 2026, and if immediate action is not taken, more airlines may follow.
For the avoidance of doubt, one airline has already been severely hit by this unreasonable rise and has been compelled to halt all operations since March 13, 2026. If nothing changes right away, this will inevitably happen to all other airlines.
Additionally, the airlines accused gasoline marketers of inflating prices above what is supported by global market trends by exploiting tensions across the world, especially in the Middle East.
“As airlines are gradually forced to suspend operations, fuel marketers’ actions are effectively decimating the aviation industry and endangering the nation’s economy, safety, and security.”
They contended that although the price of crude oil has increased by roughly 30% globally, the over 300% increase in Jet A1 costs in Nigeria is excessive and unreasonable.
The AON also cautioned about the broader economic ramifications of a shutdown, pointing out that several industries would be impacted by the failure of aircraft operations.
“Banks will suffer, millions of people will lose their source of income, and insecurity will increase if the airlines go out of business.”
Through their umbrella organization, the association called on marketers to act quickly to guarantee that aviation fuel prices be brought into compliance with international standards.
The most recent warning comes after Jet A1 pricing increased to N2,557 per litre on March 30, 2026. The airlines had at the time called for a 48-hour reversal, calling the increase “astronomical” and incompatible with international pricing norms.
Price increases are explained by marketers.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Trust, MEMAN ES dismissed the airlines’ quotes of N3000 or N2,550 per liter, but claimed that the Middle East’s problems, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, were the reason for the price increase.
Even though Jet A1, also known as ATK (Aviation Turbine Kerosene), is managed differently, he claimed that marketers are also having a very hard time getting the product.
He clarified the price, saying that the landing cost (the cost of the imported product) is N1,832, while the gantry price of Jet A1 as of yesterday was N1,799.15 per litre from Dangote Refinery.
Therefore, I have no idea what the price they are quoting is. I’m not entirely sure if those figures are accurate. However, the answer is to visit Dangote or get it at an ex-depot, where the cost is significantly lower. While some dishonest individuals may attempt to take advantage, MEMAN works to increase market openness. In order to let you know how much the goods costs while you are negotiating or making a purchase, we post the Dangote pricing as well as the landing cost. This way, you may go and buy from someone else, he stated.He went on to refute the accusation of extortion, stating that the product’s management is costly.
“Access to the product is very challenging, and it is handled differently than other products,” he stated. The trucks, ships, and pipelines that transport aviation gasoline are all specifically designed to safeguard the product’s quality.
Every single molecule of this commodity is also closely watched and monitored, from the refinery to the airplanes. Therefore, in order to preserve the product’s quality, a lot of expenses are incurred along the way. Lastly, all the equipment used to remove water (H2O) from the product is tested in the lab so that, when the product is high in the sky, it doesn’t freeze and there is no water. All of these factors result in additional costs when compared to other products that lack these qualities.
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