Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stepped in to calm rising tensions in the aviation sector, urging domestic airlines to reconsider plans to increase airfares or suspend operations in response to escalating fuel costs.
The intervention comes amid growing concern from members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, who have warned of a potential shutdown of flight services as the price of JetA1—aviation fuel—continues to surge.
The cost has reportedly risen from about N900 per litre in late February to over N3,000, representing a steep increase that operators say is no longer sustainable.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the airline body, the minister acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing the current environment as one marked by significant operational challenges.
“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,” he said.
Keyamo emphasized the strategic importance of the aviation sector to the country, noting its role in supporting trade, enhancing national security, creating jobs, and fostering economic integration across regions. He stressed that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu views aviation as a vital national asset.
Despite acknowledging the financial strain on airlines, the minister urged operators to exercise caution in passing rising costs directly to passengers, warning that such a move could have unintended consequences.
“While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the traveling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport,” he stated.
He further cautioned against suspending flight operations altogether, noting that such action could disrupt the country’s economic activities and logistics systems.
“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 ongoing reforms,” he added.
As part of efforts to find a solution, Keyamo assured stakeholders that the federal government is actively engaging with the situation. He announced that an emergency meeting involving key players in the aviation sector has been scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja.
According to him, the meeting is expected to produce a “prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution” to the crisis.
The development comes against the backdrop of growing fears that airline operations across Nigeria could be severely disrupted if urgent measures are not taken.
Operators have already signaled that without government intervention, they may be forced to either halt services or significantly increase ticket prices to stay afloat.
