Nigerian Airlines Threaten Shutdown Over Fuel Costs

Domestic airlines face a nationwide shutdown from April 20 if aviation fuel prices are not slashed immediately, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned.

NaijaChoice News reports that the body issued the ultimatum in a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong. AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina signed the document, which was also copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of State Services.

The letter states that Jet A1 prices have skyrocketed from N900 per litre on February 28 to N3,300 per litre today. This represents an over 300 per cent jump, far above the roughly 30 per cent rise recorded in global crude oil benchmarks.

AON said airlines have carried the burden for the past four weeks out of patriotism and commitment to national service. But the situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable.

The operators noted that current revenues cannot even cover fuel costs, which form just one part of daily expenses. One airline has already grounded all operations since March 13 as a direct result of the crisis.

Fuel marketers’ actions are decimating the sector and putting the nation’s economy, safety and security at risk, AON declared. If carriers are forced to shut down, financial institutions will suffer, millions of livelihoods will vanish and insecurity could worsen.

The group appealed to MEMAN to compel marketers to align Jet A1 prices with international market realities. Without urgent action, all domestic airlines will suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, the letter warned.

Aviation remains a strategic sector for Nigeria’s development and connectivity. The continued arbitrary surge in fuel costs, worsened by deregulation, heavy import dependence and limited local refining, now threatens broader economic stability.

Passengers on key routes linking Lagos, Abuja, Kano and other cities could face severe disruption if the deadline passes without resolution.