Jet A1 Crisis Threatens Flight Safety, Airline Jobs in Nigeria — NAAPE Warns

Jet A1 Crisis Threatens Flight Safety, Airline Jobs in Nigeria — NAAPE Warns

Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing renewed turbulence as the worsening Jet A1 fuel crisis sparks fresh fears over flight safety, airline sustainability, and possible job losses across the industry.

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has warned that the persistent scarcity and soaring cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria are pushing airlines and aviation professionals to dangerous limits.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said prolonged flight delays and operational disruptions caused by the shortage of Jet A1 fuel are forcing pilots and engineers to work far beyond their scheduled duty hours, exposing them to fatigue-related risks.

According to the association, fatigue remains one of the most serious threats to aviation safety globally because it affects concentration, reaction time, decision-making, and situational awareness during flight operations.

NAAPE stressed that compelling aviation professionals to operate under physically and mentally exhausting conditions could place passengers and crew members at significant risk.

“The persistent disruptions to flight schedules occasioned by the Jet A1 supply shortfall have resulted in significant extensions of crew duty time beyond planned parameters,” the association said.

“For our members, pilots and engineers alike, this translates directly into elevated fatigue levels, a condition universally recognised in aviation as a critical safety hazard.”

The association explained that the crisis extends beyond safety concerns, warning that domestic airlines are also battling severe financial pressure as operational costs continue to rise while revenues decline.

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According to NAAPE, grounded and delayed aircraft generate no income for airlines despite accumulating fixed operational expenses such as aircraft maintenance, insurance, airport charges, and staff salaries.

The body warned that the financial strain is already affecting workers through delayed salary payments, wage cuts, and worsening welfare conditions.

“A workforce operating under financial stress is a workforce distracted, and distraction in an aviation environment is a precursor to compromised safety,” the statement added.

The warning comes amid growing concerns within Nigeria’s aviation industry over the rapid increase in Jet A1 price in Nigeria, which airline operators say has become unsustainable.

Industry stakeholders recently disclosed that the price of aviation fuel surged from about ₦900 per litre earlier in the year to over ₦3,300 per litre within weeks, representing an increase of more than 300 percent.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had earlier warned that domestic carriers could suspend operations nationwide if the fuel situation persists.

Although the planned shutdown was temporarily suspended following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, airline operators insist that the sector remains under severe pressure.

NAAPE also pointed to recent operational restructuring by some domestic airlines as evidence of the worsening crisis.

The association cited the decision of Rano Air to suspend some of its routes after the sharp rise in Jet A1 fuel price made certain operations commercially unsustainable.

According to the airline, the increasing cost of fuel and operational expenses forced it to temporarily scale down services on affected routes while providing rescheduling and refund options for passengers.

The aviation union warned that if urgent action is not taken, more airlines may reduce routes, suspend operations, or shut down entirely, leading to widespread job losses across the sector.

NAAPE further emphasised that aviation plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s economy by supporting trade, tourism, investment, and national connectivity.

The body warned that any prolonged disruption in the aviation sector could negatively affect economic growth and worsen transportation challenges in the country.

Meanwhile, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has also raised similar concerns over the instability in the supply and pricing of Jet A1 aviation fuel.

Speaking during the 2026 May Day celebration at the Lagos airport, ATSSSAN National President, Comrade John Ogbe, urged the Federal Government to urgently convene stakeholders and develop a sustainable framework for stabilising fuel supply and pricing.

“The sky must be kept safe, and Nigerians must continue to fly, especially in the face of insecurity on our roads,” Ogbe stated.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently moved to stabilise the market by introducing benchmark prices for Jet A1 fuel, but airline operators say supply instability and price volatility remain unresolved.

NAAPE has now called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), NMDPRA, fuel suppliers, and all aviation stakeholders to urgently address the crisis before it escalates further.

The association insisted that aviation safety must never be compromised, warning that swift intervention is necessary to protect passengers, workers, and the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Jet A1 Crisis Threatens Flight Safety, Airline Jobs in Nigeria — NAAPE Warns