Air travellers across Nigeria are currently facing major disruptions as a worsening shortage of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, continues to affect flight operations nationwide, leading to delays, rescheduling, and cancellations at several airports.
Airlines have warned that the ongoing scarcity is making it increasingly difficult to stick to flight schedules, with many operations thrown into disarray. The situation has left hundreds of passengers stranded, while others have been forced to adjust or cancel their travel plans at short notice.
Industry sources also revealed that ground handling companies have threatened to suspend services to local airlines over an estimated N9 billion debt, adding further pressure to an already strained aviation sector.
According to operators under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the cost of Jet A1 has surged by more than 300 per cent since the escalation of global tensions linked to the US-Israel conflict in Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global fuel supply.
The AON had earlier threatened to shut down operations last Monday, but suspended the action after intervention by the Federal Government, which convened a stakeholder meeting led by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
A follow-up meeting with oil marketers was also held, but as of the time of this report, airlines say there has been no immediate relief to the fuel shortage affecting operations.
One of the key outcomes of the discussions was approval of a 30 per cent discount on debts owed by airlines to service providers. However, airlines are still pushing for a full waiver on outstanding debts owed to agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), among others.
