Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has called on domestic airline operators to reconsider plans to suspend flight operations and avoid increasing airfares despite a sharp rise in aviation fuel costs.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the minister acknowledged the severe pressure airlines are facing following the increase in Jet A1 fuel price from about ₦900 per litre in February to ₦3,300 per litre, representing a 300 per cent jump.
Keyamo commended local airlines for continuing operations under difficult economic conditions, describing their resilience and professionalism as commendable.
However, he urged operators to exercise restraint in implementing fare increases, warning that higher ticket prices could worsen economic hardship for citizens and limit access to air travel.
He also advised against any planned suspension of flight operations, noting that such action could disrupt national mobility, logistics systems, and broader economic activities.
The minister assured airline operators that their concerns had been noted at the federal level and that the government is taking steps to address the situation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, an emergency stakeholder meeting has been scheduled in Abuja for April 22, bringing together regulators and industry players to seek a practical solution to the rising fuel cost challenge.
The warning from airlines about a possible shutdown from April 20 has raised concerns over potential disruptions in Nigeria’s aviation sector if the issue remains unresolved.
