Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has warned that the worsening shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel is beginning to pose a severe threat to flight safety, airline viability and job security across Nigeria's aviation sector. In a statement issued on Sunday, May 10, 2026, its President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said persistent disruptions to flight schedules caused by the supply shortfall have forced pilots and engineers to work extended duty hours far beyond planned limits, leading to elevated fatigue levels – a condition universally recognised in aviation as a critical safety hazard.
"Fatigue impairs cognitive function, slows reaction time and, most dangerously, erodes situational awareness – a pilot or engineer's most essential tool in managing the complexities of flight operations," Gindeh said, adding that passenger safety is now placed at measurable risk because crew members are compelled to operate under these dangerous conditions. The union noted that prolonged disruption also affects crew scheduling, aircraft turnaround operations and maintenance planning, creating hidden strains that could further compromise safety margins.
The crisis has intensified following a staggering price surge that saw the cost of aviation fuel increase from about N900 per litre in February to as high as N3,300 per litre in April – an increase of over 300 per cent triggered by the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Although Dangote Petroleum Refinery has pegged its gantry price at N1,820 per litre to improve transparency in the jet fuel market, industry stakeholders say the benchmark still reflects elevated cost levels that continue to strain airline finances. In April, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) indicated that aviation fuel should sell within a band of N1,760 to N1,988 per litre in Lagos, but middlemen have defied the pricing framework, driving retail prices up to as much as N2,800 per litre.
Beyond safety concerns, NAAPE warned that the crisis is inflicting severe financial damage on domestic carriers. "Grounded or delayed aircraft generate no revenue, yet fixed operational costs persist," Gindeh said, stressing that this economic pressure inevitably leads to delayed salary payments, wage reductions and a general deterioration of welfare conditions for aviation workers. The union pointed to early signs of industry restructuring, citing recent route reductions announced by Rano Air as a clear signal of the economic damage being wrought. "Should the situation remain unaddressed, we anticipate further route suspensions, potential cessation of operations by some carriers and significant job losses across the aviation sector," he warned.
Air Peace has already warned passengers of possible flight delays and announced a temporary reduction of its Abuja‑London service to three weekly flights until July 1, citing nationwide disruptions in fuel supply affecting its operations. Other operators are also reported to be reviewing their schedules, raising fears of a broader cutback in domestic connectivity.
Gindeh noted that aviation fuel remains one of the largest cost components for Nigerian airlines, accounting for a significant share of operating expenditure. In recent years, operators have grappled with severe price fluctuations driven by foreign exchange pressures, supply chain bottlenecks and a heavy dependence on imported petroleum products – even as local refining capacity has been gradually expanded. The federal government has taken emergency measures to address the high cost and scarcity, including approving Dangote Refinery as a sole supplier of Jet A1 to local operators, facilitating a deal for the refinery to sell the product in naira, and granting a 30 per cent debt discount on amounts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies. However, NAAPE argues that these interventions have not been matched by a decisive resolution of the supply chain dysfunction that continues to keep prices high and availability unpredictable.
Aviation industry analysts say sustained schedule instability could erode public confidence in domestic air travel and disrupt sectors such as tourism, logistics and trade that depend heavily on reliable air connectivity. Nigeria's aviation industry already faces foreign exchange volatility, high maintenance costs, ageing fleets and persistent infrastructure challenges. The current fuel crisis adds a dangerous new layer of stress to an ecosystem still struggling to recover from past shocks.
Gindeh called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the NMDPRA, fuel suppliers and all stakeholders to treat the resolution of the Jet A1 supply crisis as "a matter of urgent national priority." "The lives of Nigerians in the air depend on decisive and immediate action," he said.
As of the time of this report, the NCAA and NMDPRA had not issued official statements on the union's latest warning.
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