Nigeria’s aviation sector is under severe strain as a worsening shortage of Jet A1 fuel triggers widespread flight delays, cancellations, and operational cutbacks, leaving passengers stranded across major airports.
Airlines say the persistent scarcity of aviation fuel has disrupted schedules nationwide, forcing carriers to delay, reschedule, or cancel flights at short notice. The situation has intensified in recent days, deepening uncertainty for travellers and complicating airline operations already burdened by high costs.
Operators attribute the crisis to a sharp spike in fuel prices, reportedly rising by over 300 per cent, driven by global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. The surge has significantly inflated operating expenses in a sector heavily dependent on imported aviation fuel.
Under the umbrella of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), carriers had earlier threatened to suspend operations but stepped back following the Federal Government’s intervention and a series of stakeholder meetings convened by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Talks with oil marketers have also been held, but no immediate solution has emerged.
As part of temporary relief measures, airlines secured a 30 per cent discount on debts owed to service providers. However, operators are pushing for a full waiver of charges owed to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
Despite these concessions, the crisis continues across the sector, at airports in Lagos, Abuja, and other domestic hubs, passengers face long waiting hours, with some flights rescheduled multiple times in a single day. There have also been complaints of airlines issuing boarding passes despite uncertainty over fuel availability.
To stay afloat, several carriers have begun cutting routes and reducing flight frequencies. Air Peace, for instance, has scaled down its London Heathrow service to three weekly flights as part of cost-containment efforts.
Meanwhile, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria has escalated pressure on airlines, issuing a seven-day ultimatum over more than N9 billion in unpaid debts. The group warned that its members may withdraw critical services, including check-in, baggage handling, and ramp operations, starting April 28, 2026, if the debts remain unsettled.
Industry experts caution that without urgent intervention to stabilise fuel supply and address mounting liabilities, disruptions could worsen, further eroding confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
