Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing fresh turmoil as Air Peace, one of the country’s leading carriers, announced widespread flight delays triggered by a crippling shortage of aviation fuel across the country.
In a notice issued on Saturday, the airline warned passengers that several flights departing from its terminals may not operate as scheduled due to “current aviation fuel supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide.”
The development has raised concerns about systemic failures in Nigeria’s aviation industry, as passengers continue to bear the brunt of recurring operational disruptions.
“We wish to inform you that flights departing from some of our terminals may experience delays due to the current aviation fuel supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide.
“At this time, fuel availability remains limited, which has impacted scheduled departures,” the airline’s management stated, without providing a clear timeline for resolution.
The airline, which is certified under the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), said it is engaging “relevant partners” to address the situation.
However, concerns are mounting that such assurances have become routine amid persistent logistics and supply challenges.
Air Peace urged affected passengers to remain patient while efforts are ongoing to stabilise operations, adding that safety remains its top priority.
The airline advised customers to seek updates through its official communication channels.
The fuel crisis comes at a time when Nigerian travellers are already grappling with high ticket prices, flight cancellations, and inconsistent scheduling, issues critics say point to deeper structural inefficiencies in the aviation ecosystem.
As delays ripple across multiple routes, passengers express frustration, with many accusing airlines and regulators of failing to provide reliable services despite rising costs.
Earlier this month, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced that airlines across the country may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, citing an “astronomical and unsustainable” increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
In a letter dated April 14 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr Clement Isong, the group said aviation fuel prices have surged from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to ₦3300 per litre, representing an increase of over 300 per cent within weeks.
AON described the spike as “artificial,” noting that it far exceeds global trends, with international crude oil prices rising by only about 30 per cent within the same period.
The operators said they had continued to absorb the rising costs for more than four weeks out of “patriotism and in the spirit of service to the nation,” but warned that the situation has become unsustainable.
According to the group, airline revenues can no longer cover the cost of fuel alone, making continued operations increasingly unviable.
It further accused fuel marketers of “decimating the aviation industry,” warning that the situation poses wider risks to Nigeria’s economy, safety, and national security.
The association disclosed that the impact is already being felt, revealing that one airline has grounded all operations since March 13, 2026, due to the rising cost of fuel, and cautioned that more carriers could follow if urgent steps are not taken.
Describing aviation as a sector of strategic national importance, AON said the current pricing regime is “unhealthy and detrimental to national wellbeing.”
The group outlined the difficult choices facing operators, noting that increasing ticket fares to match fuel costs could reduce passenger traffic, while suspending operations entirely would have far-reaching consequences.
It warned that a shutdown could disrupt millions of livelihoods, affect financial institutions, and worsen insecurity across the country.
AON called on MEMAN to intervene and ensure that jet fuel prices are aligned with international market realities, stressing that airlines can no longer sustain purchases at current rates.
With no immediate solution in sight, the latest disruption underscores growing fears that Nigeria’s aviation sector may be sliding further into instability, leaving thousands of travellers uncertain about their journeys.
