Govt urges airlines to reconsider shutdown over fuel price hike
The Federal Government has called on domestic airlines to suspend plans to halt flight operations and reconsider any increase in airfares due to the sharp rise in Jet A1 fuel prices. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, addressed these concerns in a letter to the Airline Operators of Nigeria. The government emphasised the strategic importance of the aviation sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assured stakeholders that steps are being taken to address the crisis. An emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to find a sustainable solution.
TLDR
- Festus Keyamo appealed to airlines to suspend plans to halt operations and reconsider fare increases in response to the Jet A1 fuel price surge.
- The price of Jet A1 fuel increased from N900 per litre as at February 28, 2026, to N3,300 per litre as at today, according to a letter dated April 14, 2026.
- An emergency stakeholders’ meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja to address the crisis.
- Airlines warned that without urgent intervention, they may be forced to shut down operations from April 20 due to unsustainable losses.
- The government assured that the concerns have received full attention and immediate steps will be taken to resolve the issues.
