The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has urged airlines to avoid airfare hikes and flight suspensions amid a 300% increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel from N900 to N3,300 per liter since late February 2026.

On Friday, Keyamo publicly shared his letter to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), with the minister commending the resilience of airlines under the current conditions.

“In a bid to find a solution to the threat by the airlines to suspend flights next week over the 300 percent increase in JET A1 fuel, late yesterday, I sent the Airline Operators of Nigeria the following letter:
THREE HUNDRED PERCENT INCREASE IN JET A1 FUEL: APPEAL FOR RESTRAINT ON AIRFARE ADJUSTMENT AND SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS,” Keyamo wrote.

“I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per liter as at February 28, 2026 to N3.300 per liter as at today, representing a three hundred percent (300 %) increase.

“At the outset, I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.”

He referenced ongoing government reforms of the Federal Government in aviation, while confirming a high-level emergency stakeholder meeting scheduled for April 22 in Abuja to seek practical resolutions.

“Let me reiterate that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance. In line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration. You will also acknowledge that the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated unprecedented reforms in the sector aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of the businesses of local operators.”

In light of the foregoing, the Aviation Minister made the following appeals: “First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. 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, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport for a broad segment of Nigerians.

“Secondly, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector.

“I wish to formally assure you that the concerns raised by your members have received the full attention of the Federal Government and we shall take immediate steps to address the issues.

“Accordingly, a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution. The venue and time will be communicated in due course.”