More Flight Disruptions Loom as Airlines Reel from Aviation Fuel Crisis

Nigeria’s aviation sector is once again being gripped by a crisis of aviation fuel, forcing domestic airlines to cut routes and reduce flight frequencies.

This is as operators struggle with costs that have surged by over 300 per cent since February 2026, causing them rounds of flight disruptions and delays.

Across the country’s major airports, passengers are already beginning to feel the strain as airlines are adjusting schedules, delaying or outrightly cancelling flights and in some cases grounding aircraft temporarily as the cost of Jet A1 continues to squeeze operators who are battling slim profit margins.

The cost per liter of Jet A1 aviation fuel has surged from about ₦900 in February to a staggering ₦3,300.

Aviation analysts say fuel now accounts for as much as 40 to 50 per cent of airline operating costs in Nigeria, compared to the global average of about 25 to 30 per cent. The sharp imbalance is eroding profitability and weakening airlines’ capacity to maintain reliable schedules.

The development has put domestic airlines in a pricing dilemma – between rising costs and consumer resistance to higher ticket prices.

Route Suspension

On Friday, Rano Air, one of the domestic airlines, announced temporary suspension of flights on some of its routes, citing high cost of aviation fuel, which has made operation on those routes “extremely challenging and commercially unsustainable.”

While the airline has assured passengers who have booked flights on the affected routes that it would resolve all issues regarding refunds, rescheduling, or rerouting options, many of the passengers have expressed disappointment and despair over the development.

Also, Max Air, another indigenous airline, has reportedly concluded plans to cancel several flights, including its Bauchi route, and to reduce frequencies to major cities like Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos over persisting high cost of aviation fuel.

Reduced Frequencies and Operational Instability

In recent weeks, several domestic routes have experienced operational instability as airlines grapple with fuel supply challenges.

Air Peace, a leading carrier in West and Central Africa, has issued a series of press statements in recent weeks, attributing flight delays, cancellations and schedule adjustments to fuel supply challenges. In a statement on April 25, the airline announced a temporary adjustment of its Abuja-London flight service from daily to just three times per week, citing Jet A1 fuel supply constraints. It said full operational frequency would resume on July 1, 2026.

“Due to the current Jet A1 (aviation fuel) supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide and around the world, we wish to inform you that our Abuja-London service has been temporarily adjusted to three weekly flights until 01 July, 2026.

“This measure is necessary to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational reliability during this period, with full operational frequency on our London service scheduled to resume from 01 July 2026,” Air Peace had stated.

“We wish to inform you that flights departing from some of our terminals may experience delays due to the current aviation fuel supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide.

“At this time, fuel availability remains limited, which has impacted scheduled departures,” the airline stated in another statement.

READ ALSO: 

• Why Nigerian Airlines Struggle with Operating International Flights
• How BASA Deals Favour Foreign Airlines Over Nigerian Carriers
• Tinubu Promises Debt Relief, Tax Review for Airlines amid Jet Fuel Crisis
• Dangote’s Direct Jet A1 Supply to Airlines Won’t Fly – Analyst

Many other operators have reportedly moved to a “skeletal service” model, cutting unprofitable routes to reduce operational costs. Aviation analyst Wole Shadare warned that without immediate relief, two airlines could go out of business before the end of the year.

Implications for the Economy and Safety Concerns

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has warned that persistent fuel supply shortages pose a threat to the sustainability of the aviation industry and the nation’s economy.

In a statement on Sunday, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said if the situation remains unaddressed, it could lead to further suspension of routes and outright cessation of operations by some airlines, resulting in significant job losses across the aviation sector.

NAAPE stressed that flight delays and cancellations often lead to financial losses on the part of airlines, who already are battling high cost of operations due to the aviation fuel price surge.

The association warned that the fuel crisis could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s economy, given the strategic role of air travel in driving trade, tourism, business activities, and interconnectivity across the country.

Beyond the economic fallout, the association raised flight safety concerns, stressing that persistent flight delays and disruptions are extending crew duty periods and increasing fatigue levels among aviation personnel.

NAAPE explained that fatigue remains one of the most critical safety risks in global aviation, as it impairs concentration, decision-making, and situational awareness.

“The safety of every passenger aboard is therefore placed at measurable risk when crew members are compelled to operate under these conditions,” it stated.

The association called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aviation fuel suppliers, and other stakeholders to treat the resolution of the Jet A1 fuel supply crisis as an urgent national priority.

NAAPE maintained that safeguarding aviation safety and sustaining airline operations require immediate, coordinated intervention from all relevant authorities.

Financial Constraints

Highlighting the financial pressure borne by airlines as a result of the aviation fuel crisis, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) estimated that carriers overpaid by more than ₦150 billion for jet fuel between February and April alone. AON had threatened to shut down in April over the situation, but suspended the action after the Federal Government intervened.

Compounding the airlines’ distress, ground handling companies recently threatened to withdraw their services over an outstanding debt exceeding ₦9 billion.

A shutdown of these services, which provide critical functions like passenger check-in and baggage handling, would effectively paralyze both domestic and international flight operations.

Government Intervention

The federal government acknowledged the severity of the crisis. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo appealed to airlines to exercise restraint on fare hikes and cancel planned shutdowns, warning that such actions would cause significant hardship for the travelling public.

An emergency stakeholders’ meeting was held on April 22nd, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) subsequently set indicative price caps, pegging Jet A1 between ₦1,760 and ₦2,037 per litre depending on the region.

However, operators report that these interventions have yet to yield tangible results, as prices remain volatile and supply is inconsistent. While local refining capacity is expanding, operators insist that supply growth has not eased cost pressures.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption will continue to strain crew scheduling, aircraft turnaround, and maintenance planning, with inevitable knock-on risks for safety oversight.