Nigerian airlines warn of April 20 shutdown

Nigerian airlines have warned they may suspend flight operations nationwide from April 20 if the rising cost of jet fuel is not urgently addressed. The warning was issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which represents several domestic carriers.
In a letter dated April 14 to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the group raised concerns that aviation fuel prices have increased by roughly 270% since late February. AON argued that the surge appears disproportionate compared to global crude oil trends and described the pricing as excessively high.
The increase in fuel costs comes amid broader volatility in global energy markets, partly linked to disruptions in oil shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which plays a critical role in global fuel supply chains.
According to AON, current airline revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, placing significant financial strain on operators. The association warned that while airlines could attempt to pass the increased costs onto passengers through higher fares, this could reduce travel demand and further weaken the sector.
Jet fuel represents a substantial portion of operating costs for African airlines, typically between 30% and 40%, compared to a global average of 20% to 25%, making them particularly sensitive to price fluctuations.
Data from Nigeria’s petroleum regulator indicates that the aviation sector consumed approximately 2.1 million litres of jet fuel daily in the previous month. However, Nigeria’s primary domestic supplier, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reportedly made no deliveries to the local aviation market during March.
At the same time, export data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler shows that Nigeria’s shipments of refined petroleum products—including jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline—more than doubled during the same period.
MEMAN and Dangote Refinery had not issued official responses at the time of reporting.
AON cautioned that a shutdown of airline operations could have widespread economic consequences, including job losses, financial strain on related industries, and increased security risks linked to reduced mobility.
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