Nigerian airlines have issued a dramatic ultimatum, warning that they may suspend all domestic and international flight operations nationwide from Monday, April 20, 2026, unless the soaring cost of aviation fuel is urgently addressed.
In a strongly worded letter to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) described the current situation as unsustainable, stating that the rapid escalation in Jet A1 prices has pushed the industry to the brink of collapse.
The group revealed that the price of aviation fuel has skyrocketed from about N900 per litre in late February to over N3,300 per litre currently — an artificial increase of more than 300%. This surge far outpaces the 30% rise in global crude oil prices during the same period, raising questions about pricing practices in the downstream sector.
“Airline revenues can no longer cover fuel costs alone, making continued operations commercially unviable,” the AON stated. The operators added that they have been absorbing the burden “out of patriotism,” but the financial strain has now become unbearable.
Aviation fuel currently accounts for more than 40% of an airline’s operating expenses in Nigeria, making it the single largest cost driver. Industry stakeholders had previously warned that unchecked price increases would force airlines to either raise fares sharply or reduce flight frequencies, both of which would hurt passengers and the broader economy.
A nationwide shutdown would have far-reaching consequences, disrupting air travel, affecting national security, crippling business activities, and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers in the aviation value chain.
The crisis comes at a time when African airlines are already operating on razor-thin margins. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that airlines across Africa will record a net profit of just $0.2 billion in 2026, with an average net margin of about -1%. In contrast, carriers in the Middle East are expected to earn $6.8 billion, while European and North American airlines are forecast to generate $14 billion and $11.3 billion respectively.
The AON’s ultimatum is being seen as a final appeal to fuel marketers and regulators to intervene before the situation spirals out of control. Industry watchers are now anxiously awaiting the response from fuel suppliers and the Federal Government, as the April 20 deadline looms.
The development highlights the fragile state of Nigeria’s aviation sector, where high operating costs, foreign exchange challenges, and erratic fuel pricing continue to threaten the sustainability of air travel in Africa’s largest economy.
