By Adedapo Adesanya

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), an industry body grouping around a dozen mainly domestic carriers, have announced plans to suspend all flight ​operations from April 20, due to the high cost of jet fuel.

The organisation wrote to the Major Energies Marketers Association ​of Nigeria (MEMAN) on April 14, complaining that jet fuel prices had risen ​by about 270 per cent since late February, and accused the country’s fuel marketers of artificially inflating the cost.

The cost of fuel has generally risen in the last two months due to the escalating war with Iran by the US and Israel, which has triggered one of the most severe energy shocks in decades. Oil prices have surged above $115 per barrel as markets react to escalating tensions and the risk of prolonged disruption.

At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply flows. With shipping constrained, the effects are cascading across the global economy, raising fuel costs, fueling inflation, and increasing the risk of economic slowdown across many economies.

AON called the jet ​fuel increase in Nigeria “astronomical and artificial,” saying it far outpaced global crude oil prices.

The airline’s body said the hike situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable.

“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily. The situation continues to deteriorate.

“The actions of fuel marketers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk, as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already severely impacted one airline, forcing it to ground all operations since March 13, 2026. This may become inevitable for other airlines if the situation does not change immediately.

“Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance. The continued arbitrary rise in jet fuel prices is both unhealthy and detrimental to national well-being. Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy.

“If ticket prices are adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, flights will operate with low passenger loads. Conversely, if airlines cease operations, financial institutions will be impacted, millions of livelihoods will be lost, and insecurity may increase.

“We therefore urge you to prevail on marketers to proportionately adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current exorbitant rates,” the letter read.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria recorded a significant aviation milestone during the opening session of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, officially received Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

This 20-year roadmap (2025–2045) is designed to fundamentally restructure and modernise Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The CAMP is not just a policy document; it is a strategic framework aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan.

It focuses on several critical areas, such as upgrading airports to meet global standards and transforming them into Aerotropolis hubs (airport cities) to drive trade and job creation, reaffirming a commitment to a zero-fatality aviation environment through strict adherence to ICAO’s international standards and deployment of advanced systems, including the integration of unmanned aerial systems (drones) into the national airspace.

Others are addressing the skills gap by developing a future-ready workforce through specialised training and global partnerships, and by creating a more attractive environment for private-sector investment, specifically in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, to reduce capital flight.

According to a spokesman for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Tunde Moshood, the presentation of the CAMP at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium underscored Nigeria’s growing visibility and commitment to international best practices in aviation development.

The ICAO, as the global body responsible for setting standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection, he noted, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Nigeria’s aviation modernisation efforts.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

There are plans by Air Peace to commence flight operations to London from the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport in Ogun State.

The chief executive of the airline operator, Mr Allen Onyema, disclosed this after an inspection of the airport alongside Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun.

He described the facility as world-class, promising that Air Peace will fly passengers from the airport to Gatwick and Heathrow airports in London, the United Kingdom, this summer with its Boeing 777 fleet.

President Bola Tinubu over the weekend commissioned the airport, which is expected to boost the state’s economy.

The facility was built to turn the Gateway State into a key aviation hub in Nigeria, complementing existing airports in Lagos and Abuja.

The airport has already commenced cargo operations, with expectations of increased activity, including international cargo services and additional airline operations in the near future.

Mr Onyema, who was impressed by what he saw, said the Gateway International Airport meets global standards, stressing that its 4-kilometre runway can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.

He disclosed that the airline has received approval from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, to proceed with the operations, describing the airport as a national asset rather than a state project.