Operators warn of April 20 halt amid soaring fuel costs and mounting safety disruptions.
By Baron Eloagu | Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria’s aviation sector faces a dual crisis as airline operators threaten to suspend nationwide operations over surging jet fuel prices, while United Nigeria Airlines has grounded an aircraft following a bird strike incident.
The developments have intensified concerns over operational sustainability, safety, and the broader economic implications for the country’s fragile aviation industry.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has issued a stark warning that all domestic carriers may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, citing what it described as an “astronomical and unsustainable” rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
In a letter dated April 14 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong, the group disclosed that aviation fuel prices have surged from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre — a spike of over 300 per cent within weeks.
AON argued that the increase is inconsistent with global oil market trends, noting that international crude prices rose by only about 30 per cent in the same period.
The operators said they had absorbed the rising costs for more than four weeks out of “patriotism,” but warned that continued operations are no longer financially viable.
“Airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone,” the letter stated.
The group further warned that the pricing regime is crippling the industry, with one airline already grounding operations since March 13 due to fuel costs. It cautioned that more carriers could follow if urgent intervention is not made.
AON stressed that aviation is critical to national security and economic stability, warning that a shutdown would disrupt millions of livelihoods, impact financial systems, and worsen insecurity.
The body called on MEMAN to urgently align jet fuel pricing with international benchmarks, issuing what it described as a final notice before a potential shutdown.
Senior government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Department of State Services (DSS), were copied in the communication.
United Nigeria Grounds Aircraft After Bird Strike
Separately, United Nigeria Airlines confirmed it has grounded one of its CRJ-900 aircraft following a bird strike incident involving Flight UN0579 from Kano to Abuja.
The airline said the aircraft was withdrawn from service immediately after landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and will undergo comprehensive technical inspections and maintenance before returning to operations.
The affected flight was scheduled for 18:15 hours on Tuesday.
The airline warned that the development could disrupt some scheduled flights across its network but emphasized that safety remains its top priority.
Rising Safety Concerns
The latest incident marks the fifth bird strike involving United Nigeria Airlines aircraft since January 2026.
The airline noted that all incidents have been handled in compliance with aviation safety regulations and operational procedures.
It reiterated its commitment to maintaining high safety standards while working to minimize disruptions to passengers.
The convergence of soaring fuel costs and operational safety challenges exposes structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s aviation sector. A shutdown would not only cripple domestic travel but also disrupt commerce, deepen economic strain, and raise serious national security concerns.
![Nigerian military prepares to cordon the area where a man was killed by suspected rebel fighters during an attack around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 2019 [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]](https://a1news.com.ng/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nigeria-military-on-patrol.webp)
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