Carriers caution that soaring fuel costs may lead to temporary grounding of flights.

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has issued a warning that domestic flights may come to a halt from April 20 due to the relentless surge in Jet A1, or aviation fuel, prices.

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The warning was conveyed in a notice signed by AON President, Dr Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, on Wednesday in Lagos, highlighting the precarious situation facing the aviation industry.

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According to Dr Sarina, the price of Jet A1 has skyrocketed to N3,300 per litre, up from approximately N900 per litre in February, marking a staggering 300 per cent increase.

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This drastic price hike, driven by marketers, has substantially inflated the operational costs of airlines, with Dr Sarina noting that the rise is not aligned with global crude oil price trends, which have increased by about 30 per cent.

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Despite the mounting costs, airlines have continued to operate over the past four weeks, driven by a sense of responsibility to the nation, but Dr Sarina emphasized that the situation has become unsustainable.

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Dr Sarina pointed out that airline revenues are currently insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is just one of the many expenses incurred daily, and that the actions of fuel marketers are jeopardizing the aviation industry and the nation's economy, safety, and security.

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The AON President warned that the consequences of inaction could be severe, with airlines being forced to consider suspending operations, and cited the example of one airline that has already been forced to suspend operations since March 13 due to the price increase.

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Dr Sarina cautioned that the situation could deteriorate further if urgent action is not taken, and that adjusting ticket prices to reflect current fuel costs could lead to reduced passenger traffic, while a shutdown of operations would have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, impacts on financial institutions, and national security.

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The AON has appealed to marketers to adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current rates, according to Dr Sarina.

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The notice was addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, with copies sent to prominent recipients, including President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, among others.