The Federal Government has appealed to airlines to halt their planned shutdown of flight operations scheduled for April 20, 2026, over the rise in jet fuel prices.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the appeal in a statement addressed to airline operators.
The federal government’s appeal follows threats issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that flights would be suspended from April 20, 2026, after a sharp rise in Jet A1 prices pushed aviation fuel above N3,000 per litre.
However, Keyamo, in the statement, urged airline operators to suspend any planned shutdown of flight operations and avoid immediate increases in airfares despite the sharp rise in jet fuel prices.
He acknowledged the severe pressure the cost spike has placed on operators while warning that shutting down services would have wide-ranging economic consequences.
“I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per litre as at February 28, 2026, to N3,300 per litre as at today, representing a three hundred per cent (300%) increase,” the statement read in part.
“First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. Secondly, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. 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 the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector.”
Keyamo also noted that aviation remains a key sector for national integration, trade, and logistics, and stressed that government engagement with stakeholders is ongoing, with a high-level emergency meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026.
