The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned that airlines across the country may suspend operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, following what it described as an “astronomical and unsustainable” increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr Clement Isong, AON said the cost of aviation fuel jumped from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre — an increase of over 300 per cent in just weeks.
The association described the spike as “artificial” and far above global trends, noting that international crude oil prices have risen by only about 30 per cent within the same period.
Decimating the Aviation Industry’
AON stated that airlines have continued to absorb the rising costs for over four weeks “out of patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation,” but warned that the burden is no longer manageable.
Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone,” the letter read. The group said the situation has deteriorated to the point where continued operations are no longer viable.
It warned that the actions of fuel marketers are “decimating the aviation industry” and pose broader risks to Nigeria’s economy, safety, and national security.
The impact is already visible. AON disclosed that one airline has grounded all operations since March 13, 2026, due to the rising cost of fuel, and cautioned that more carriers could follow if urgent action is not taken.
“Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance,” the letter stressed, adding that the current pricing regime is “unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing.”
