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Nigerian airlines have warned they may suspend all flight operations from April 20 if the soaring cost of jet fuel is not reduced, blaming fuel marketers for what they describe as artificially inflated prices.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), representing several domestic carriers, said jet fuel prices have risen by about 270% since late February. In a letter to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the group described the increase as “astronomical and artificial,” stressing that it far exceeds global oil price trends.
“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone,” AON said, highlighting the growing strain on operators.
Although global fuel prices have risen due to disruptions linked to the Iran war, airlines say the situation in Nigeria is worse. They warn that increasing ticket prices to keep up with costs could drive passengers away, while grounding flights altogether would have ripple effects—affecting jobs, businesses, and even security.
For many African airlines, fuel already takes up a significant share of operating costs, making them especially vulnerable to price spikes, according to the African Airlines Association.
Meanwhile, official data shows Nigeria consumed about 2.1 million litres of jet fuel daily last month. Yet the Dangote Petroleum Refinery—the country’s only local producer—did not supply the domestic market during that period.
At the same time, figures from Kpler show that exports of refined petroleum products, including jet fuel, more than doubled in March. Both MEMAN and Dangote Refinery have yet to respond to requests for comment.
