Date: April 17, 2026 l Reporter: Emily John
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic airlines to suspend plans to shut down flight operations, as the country grapples with a severe aviation fuel crisis threatening the industry.
In a letter addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Keyamo acknowledged the mounting operational challenges caused by the sharp increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has surged by over 300 percent in recent weeks.
The minister urged airline operators to exercise restraint, particularly in relation to planned flight suspensions and potential increases in ticket fares, warning that such actions could have widespread economic consequences. He stressed that halting operations would disrupt national mobility, affect businesses, and undermine confidence in the aviation sector.
Keyamo also cautioned against immediate fare hikes, noting that higher ticket prices would place additional strain on Nigerians already facing economic hardship, potentially reducing access to air travel and dampening demand.
The appeal follows warnings from airline operators that they may suspend domestic flight services due to unsustainable operating costs driven largely by the spike in fuel prices. Industry stakeholders have described the situation as a major threat to the survival of local carriers.
To address the crisis, the Federal Government has scheduled a high-level emergency meeting with key stakeholders, including airline operators and regulatory authorities, set to take place in Abuja on April 22, 2026. The meeting is expected to focus on identifying a practical and sustainable solution to stabilize the sector.
The government has reassured operators that their concerns are receiving urgent attention, emphasizing the strategic importance of the aviation sector to Nigeria’s economy, including its role in trade, employment, and national connectivity.
As tensions rise within the industry, the outcome of the planned emergency talks is expected to play a critical role in determining whether Nigeria can avert a potential shutdown of domestic air travel and restore stability to its aviation sector.