- Aviation Fuel Crisis Threatens Nigerian Airlines, Workers Warn
- Pilots and engineers reportedly face fatigue from prolonged working hours.
- Association fears airline shutdowns and massive job losses if crisis continues.
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has warned that the ongoing Jet-A1 aviation fuel crisis could threaten flight safety and trigger job losses across Nigeria’s aviation industry if urgent action is not taken.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the association said the persistent shortage of aviation fuel had continued to disrupt flight operations nationwide, forcing pilots and aircraft engineers to work beyond scheduled hours due to repeated delays and operational adjustments.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the National President of NAAPE, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, expressed concern over the growing impact of the crisis on airline workers, operators and passengers.
Gindeh called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and fuel suppliers to urgently intervene and stabilise aviation fuel supply across the country.
According to him, the prolonged disruption in fuel availability has significantly extended crew duty hours beyond approved operational limits, exposing pilots and engineers to dangerous fatigue levels.
He stated that fatigue remains one of the most recognised safety threats in global aviation, warning that it could impair concentration, reduce reaction time and weaken situational awareness during flight operations and aircraft maintenance.
“NAAPE views with grave concern the ongoing Jet A1 aviation fuel supply crisis and its far-reaching consequences for our members, airline operators, the flying public, and the Nigerian economy at large,” Gindeh stated.
He added that the financial pressure created by grounded and delayed flights was also affecting airline operators, as fixed operational expenses continued despite reduced revenue generation.
The association further warned that the economic strain could worsen workers’ welfare through delayed salaries, wage cuts and uncertainty within the sector.
NAAPE also cited recent operational restructuring by Rano Air as an early sign of the growing crisis in the aviation industry.
The body warned that if the situation persists, more airlines may suspend routes, scale down operations or shut down completely, leading to significant job losses and wider economic consequences for the country.
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