Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic airline operators to shelve plans to suspend flight operations and refrain from increasing airfares following the sharp rise in the cost of Jet A1 fuel.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the minister acknowledged the operational challenges confronting airlines, particularly the reported increase in Jet A1 fuel prices from ₦900 per litre in late February to about ₦3,300 per litre, representing a 300 percent surge.
Keyamo commended the resilience and professionalism of local airline operators in sustaining services despite mounting cost pressures, noting that the aviation sector remains a critical national asset under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He, however, urged the operators to exercise restraint in adjusting airfares, warning that any immediate increase in ticket prices could worsen economic hardship for Nigerians, reduce passenger demand, and limit access to air travel.
The minister also appealed to the airlines to reconsider any planned suspension of operations, stating that such a move would have serious consequences for the national economy, disrupt mobility and logistics networks, and erode public confidence in the aviation sector.
Keyamo assured the operators that the Federal Government is actively addressing their concerns and has scheduled a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting for April 22, 2026, in Abuja. The meeting, he said, will bring together key industry players and regulators to find a practical and sustainable solution to the crisis.
The appeal comes amid growing tension in the aviation sector, with airline operators warning that soaring fuel costs could force a shutdown of domestic flight services if urgent interventions are not implemented.