FG Moves to Avert Aviation Crisis, Convenes Emergency Meeting Over 300% JetA1 Price Surge

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Federal Government has moved swiftly to prevent a looming aviation crisis, announcing an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to halt a proposed airfare hike and possible airline shutdown triggered by a sharp rise in aviation fuel.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to airline operators, assuring them of urgent government intervention.

The move follows mounting tension within the aviation sector after operators warned they could suspend services or drastically increase ticket prices due to the soaring cost of JetA1 fuel, which has surged by over 300 percent, climbing from about ₦900 to over ₦3000 per litre.

Determined to stabilise the sector, the government has scheduled a high-level emergency meeting for April 22, 2026, in Abuja, bringing together key industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities to find immediate and lasting solutions.

In his message, Keyamo assured operators that their concerns had not only been acknowledged but had also received the full attention of the Federal Government.

“I wish to formally assure you that the concerns raised by your members have received the full attention of the Federal Government, and we shall take immediate steps to address the issues,” he stated.

He added that the meeting is aimed at achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution to prevent disruption in airline operations and protect passengers from steep fare increases.

The intervention comes at a critical time, as fears grow that a shutdown of airline services could cripple travel, disrupt business activities, and further strain Nigeria’s already pressured economy.

Industry watchers say the outcome of the meeting could determine the stability of the aviation sector in the coming months, especially as the country navigates rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.