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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Federal Government has appealed to domestic airline operators to exercise restraint in increasing airfares and to shelve any plans to suspend operations, following a sharp rise in the cost of aviation fuel, Jet A1.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the appeal in a letter dated April 16, 2026, and addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Keyamo’s intervention comes amid concerns over the spike in Jet A1 fuel prices, which reportedly surged from N900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to about N3,300 per litre, representing a 300 per cent increase.
In the correspondence, the minister acknowledged the operational difficulties facing airline operators, commending their resilience and commitment to sustaining services despite the harsh economic environment.
He, however, cautioned that any immediate increase in ticket fares would worsen the burden on passengers and could lead to reduced demand for air travel.
“While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public,” he stated.
The minister also warned against any planned suspension of flight operations, noting that such a move would have far-reaching consequences for the economy, disrupt mobility, and erode public confidence in the aviation sector.
He reiterated that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the aviation industry a critical national asset, essential for economic integration, national security, and job creation.
According to him, the government has already initiated key reforms aimed at strengthening the sector and supporting local airline operators.
Keyamo further assured stakeholders that the Federal Government is taking urgent steps to address the crisis, disclosing that a high-level emergency meeting has been scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja.
The meeting, he said, will bring together relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities to develop a practical and sustainable solution to the challenges confronting the industry.
He urged airline operators to cooperate with the government in the interim, expressing optimism that the planned engagement would yield positive outcomes for both operators and the flying public.