Minister Keyamo Warns Airlines Not to Increase Ticket Prices Amid Dispute Over Aviation Fuel Costs

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has called upon the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, to refrain from increasing ticket prices in response to the surge in jet fuel costs, as this would inflict considerable hardship on the travelling public.

n

Keyamo has also convened an emergency stakeholders' meeting, set to take place on Wednesday, April 22, in Abuja, which will bring together key stakeholders and regulatory authorities to devise a swift, practical, and sustainable solution to the issue.

n

This development comes amidst a disagreement between the AON and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, MEMAN, regarding the cost of jet fuel, which has risen significantly since the Middle East crisis.

n

In a letter dated April 16, 2026, and addressed to the AON President, Keyamo referenced the association's correspondence of April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges faced by member airlines, particularly the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per liter as of February 28, 2026, to N3,300 per liter, representing a 300 percent increase.

n

Keyamo commended the resilience and professionalism of AON members in maintaining air transport services under challenging conditions, and reiterated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers the aviation sector to be of the highest strategic importance.

n

The sector, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, is a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and economic integration, and the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated unprecedented reforms to support local operators.

n

Keyamo made two key appeals: first, he urged AON members to exercise restraint in increasing airfares, as this would impose significant hardship on the travelling public and potentially depress demand.

n

Second, he appealed for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations, as this would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy and erode public confidence in the aviation sector.

n

Keyamo assured the AON that the Federal Government has taken note of the concerns raised by its members and will take immediate steps to address the issues.

n

A high-level emergency stakeholders' meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja, with the venue and time to be communicated shortly, aiming to achieve a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution to the matter.