The federal government has urged Nigerian airlines to hold off on increasing ticket fares or suspending operations despite a steep 300 per cent rise in aviation fuel prices, as it moves to stabilise the sector and protect passengers from further hardship.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, acknowledged the severe operational pressures facing carriers following the sharp increase in Jet A1 fuel—from about ₦900 per litre in late February to ₦3,300 per litre.
Describing the situation as critical, the minister appealed to airline operators to exercise restraint in adjusting airfares, warning that sudden increases could place additional strain on Nigerians and reduce access to air travel.
“Any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility”, the minister stated.
He also urged airlines to reconsider any plans to suspend flight operations, noting that such actions could disrupt economic activities, weaken public confidence, and undermine ongoing reforms in the aviation sector.
Keyamo emphasised that the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers aviation a strategic national asset, critical for trade, security, job creation, and economic integration.
While commending airlines for their resilience under difficult conditions, the minister assured operators that the federal government is actively working to address the crisis.
To that end, he announced that an emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja. The meeting will bring together key industry players and regulators to find immediate and sustainable solutions to the fuel price challenge and its wider impact on the sector.
The intervention comes amid growing tension within Nigeria’s aviation industry, as skyrocketing fuel costs driven by global market disruptions and domestic supply challenges threaten the viability of airline operations.
Industry observers said the outcome of the planned meeting could be pivotal in determining whether the sector avoids a full-blown operational crisis or slides into widespread disruptions.