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The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) says its warning to suspend flight operations stems from what it described as an “unsustainable” surge in aviation fuel prices, insisting that the industry has reached a breaking point after weeks of absorbing rising costs.
The association had, in a letter dated 14 April and addressed to fuel marketers, warned that its members could halt operations from 20 April over the steep increase in Jet A1 prices. The letter, which was also copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and security and regulatory agencies, sparked widespread public concern over the state of the aviation sector.
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Following the reactions that trailed the warning, AON spokesperson and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, explaining why the decision was taken.
He said the warning was not issued lightly, but after weeks of operating under mounting financial pressure that had already exhausted the industry’s buffers.
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“Even if nothing happens between now and Sunday, some airlines might be shut down before Monday. It’s that bad,” he said.
Mr Okonkwo said airlines had initially continued operations despite rising costs in order to avoid sudden disruptions to passengers and the economy, but that sustaining that approach was no longer possible.
According to him, Jet A1 prices have risen sharply from below N1,000 per litre to as high as N3,300 in some locations within a matter of weeks, pushing operating costs beyond survivable levels.
“At the beginning, we didn’t complain much because we expected to absorb some of the cost, especially in a low season. But at this point, those buffers are gone,” he added.
He said aviation fuel remains the single largest cost component for airlines, meaning that any sharp increase immediately threatens operational viability.
Mr Okonkwo also pointed to what operators describe as inconsistent pricing and supply constraints in the aviation fuel market, saying airlines are often forced to purchase fuel at inflated rates depending on availability and location.
While acknowledging global pressure factors such as crude oil fluctuations and geopolitical tensions, he said the domestic market structure has worsened the situation for Nigerian carriers.
“We are not blaming anyone for global price movements, but what we are seeing locally is not consistent with what should be reasonable after logistics and margins,” he noted.
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He alleged that artificial scarcity in some cases has contributed to sudden price spikes, leaving airlines with no choice but to buy at prevailing market rates to keep flights operating.
Mr Okonkwo warned that if the situation persists, multiple operators may be forced to shut down within days, despite efforts to remain operational.
“If nothing changes, some operators will not make it past the weekend,” he warned.
The AON said it continues to engage stakeholders in the aviation fuel supply chain and government authorities, but insisted that urgent intervention is needed to stabilise prices and prevent widespread disruption of air transport services.
