The Federal Government has pleaded with domestic airline operators to suspend the plan to shut down operations and exercise restraint in increasing airfares, following the sharp rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, and addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urged operators to reconsider actions that could further strain the aviation sector and the wider economy.
While acknowledging the difficult operating environment faced by airlines, he disclosed that an emergency stakeholders’ meeting had been convened to find a lasting solution.
The move comes amid growing concerns over threats by airlines to suspend operations next week due to the astronomical rise in aviation fuel which reportedly jumped from N900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to about N3,300 per litre, representing a 300 per cent increase.
The marketers have, however, dismissed the N3,300 claim even as they blamed the hike in price of fuel to the global supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Keyamo, in his letter, commended their resilience in keeping services running despite mounting cost pressures, affirming that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the aviation sector a critical component of national development.
Keyamo urged the airlines to exercise restraint in adjusting ticket prices despite mounting operational costs.
He stated, “First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport for a broad segment of Nigerians.”
Keyamo also appealed to operators to reconsider any plans to suspend flights, warning of wider economic consequences.
He added, “Secondly, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector.”
He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government was already taking steps to address the situation. “I wish to formally assure you that the concerns raised by your members have received the full attention of the Federal Government and we shall take immediate steps to address the issues,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that an emergency stakeholders’ meeting had been convened to find a lasting solution.
He said, “Accordingly, a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution. The venue and time will be communicated in due course.”
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had, in the April 14 letter, described the fuel price surge as “astronomical and artificial,” warning that revenues could no longer cover even the cost of fuel alone and that the situation posed an existential threat to the industry.
They further cautioned that a shutdown would trigger job losses, disrupt financial institutions, and heighten insecurity, while warning that passing the costs to passengers through higher fares could significantly suppress demand for air travel.
