FG urges airlines to shelve fare hike, flight suspension over rise in cost of Jet A1
The federal government has urged domestic airlines not to increase airfares or suspend flight operations due to a 300 percent hike in aviation fuel prices. In a letter to the
- ...set emergency meeting for April 22
The federal government has urged domestic airlines not to increase airfares or suspend flight operations due to a 300 percent hike in aviation fuel prices.
In a letter to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated that the government was aware of the increase in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to N3,300 per litre as of today.
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The Minister noted that the proposed action by the operators would have 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.
Keyamo, while assuring operators that their concerns were receiving attention, noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance and has initiated reforms aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of local operators' businesses.
To address the crisis, he said a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, in Abuja.
The letter addressed to the President of the AON reads: "I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per litre as at February 28, 2026 to N3.300 per litre as at today, representing a three hundred percent (300 %) increase.
"At the outset, I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.
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"Let me reiterate that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance. In line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration. You will also acknowledge that the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated unprecedented reforms in the sector aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of the businesses of local operators."
The letter added, "In light of the foregoing, I am making the following appeals: 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.
"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.
"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.
"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."
