Nigeria’s aviation sector is on the verge of a total collapse, with domestic airlines prepared to halt operations starting Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have warned that the current price of Jet A1 is “unbearable and unsustainable,” citing a staggering 300% price surge since February. Industry insiders reveal that after multiple failed negotiations with the Federal Government and oil marketers, carriers may have no choice but to ground their fleets, potentially leaving thousands of business and emergency travelers stranded across the country.
The looming crisis follows a deadlock in tripartite talks convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. While the government offered a 30% reduction in aviation-related taxes and a potential waiver on existing airline debts, operators argue these measures fail to address the core issue: the astronomical cost of fuel.
AON Vice President Allen Onyema noted that prices have skyrocketed from approximately 900 NGN per liter to as high as 3,500 NGN, forcing airlines to operate solely to service fuel costs while struggling to maintain safety standards.
In a formal appeal dated April 21, the AON requested more drastic relief, including the immediate six-month suspension of all aviation taxes and fees. The group is also pushing for the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge—a global industry standard—to help manage the volatile costs.
Operators have expressed particular frustration with local marketers, questioning why domestic prices have outpaced international trends and calling for the government to mandate credit notes for airlines hit by what they describe as “arbitrary” price hikes.
With the seven-day ultimatum set to expire at midnight this Wednesday, the threat of a nationwide shutdown remains imminent. Senior airline executives, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reaffirmed that carriers are currently up to date with payments to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) but simply cannot continue under the current financial strain. Unless a “drastic” intervention occurs within the next 48 hours, the Nigerian airspace faces a historic grounding that threatens both the stability of the transport sector and thousands of industry jobs.
