- He acknowledged the serious operational challenges this has created for airlines
- Keyamo appealed to airline operators to exercise caution in adjusting ticket prices
- He stressed that such a move could also have ripple effects on businesses that rely on air transport
Federal Government has urged domestic airlines to shelve plans to suspend operations and hold off on increasing ticket fares despite the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the appeal in a letter addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Interior Ministry Orders Immediate Deactivation of Passports for Former Citizens
- Iran Sets Conditions as US Warns Ahead of Talks
- 7 Things People Over 50 Should Do Every Morning for Better Health
His intervention follows growing concerns that several airlines may halt flights as early as next week due to the escalating cost of Jet A1 fuel.
In the correspondence, Keyamo referenced the operators’ earlier communication, which highlighted a steep increase in fuel prices, from about ₦900 per litre in late February 2026 to roughly ₦3,300 per litre in April, representing more than a 300 per cent jump.
He acknowledged the serious operational challenges this has created for airlines and commended them for continuing services despite mounting financial pressure.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the aviation industry under the leadership of Bola Tinubu, describing the sector as a key driver of economic activity, national connectivity, and employment. He noted that recent policy reforms were designed to support the growth and sustainability of local carriers.
Keyamo appealed to airline operators to exercise caution in adjusting ticket prices, warning that any immediate fare increase could worsen the burden on passengers, reduce demand for air travel, and make flying less accessible to many Nigerians.
He stressed that such a move could also have ripple effects on businesses that rely on air transport.
He further advised airlines to reconsider any planned suspension of operations, cautioning that a shutdown would have wide-ranging consequences.
According to him, grounding flights could disrupt supply chains, affect business travel, weaken investor confidence, and slow down economic activities across the country.
To address the crisis, the minister disclosed that the government has convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja.
The meeting will bring together airline operators, regulators, and other key players in the aviation sector to find practical and lasting solutions to the fuel price challenge.
Meanwhile, airline operators have maintained that the situation is becoming unsustainable. They argue that the current cost of Jet A1 fuel has significantly eroded their revenues, making it difficult to cover basic operational expenses.
According to them, many carriers have continued to operate at a loss for weeks, and without urgent intervention, the industry could face serious disruptions.
The operators have also warned that a potential shutdown of flights could lead to job losses, disrupt financial transactions, and create broader economic challenges.
They added that while increasing fares might help offset costs, it could also discourage passengers and further reduce revenue, placing airlines in an even more difficult position.
The Federal Government, however, has assured stakeholders that it is taking the concerns seriously and is working toward stabilising the situation to prevent a major crisis in the aviation sector.
FURTHER READING
