Nigeria’s domestic aviation crisis has deepened, with Ibom Air revealing that the cost of fueling a single flight has jumped from about ₦2.1 million in January to approximately ₦7.6 million as of late April, a more than 350 percent increase within just seven weeks.
The airline said the sharp spike in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel is placing severe strain on its operations and those of other local carriers, despite efforts to maintain service levels and keep fares relatively stable for passengers.
In a statement issued by its Group Manager for Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, Ibom Air described the situation as unprecedented, noting that the surge has occurred even though it operates one of the most fuel-efficient fleets in the domestic market.
According to the airline, the crisis has persisted far longer than initially expected, with costs continuing to climb and no immediate relief in sight. It explained that competitive pressures and a sense of responsibility to passengers have limited the ability of airlines to fully pass on the increased costs through higher ticket prices, forcing operators to absorb significant financial losses.
Ibom Air also questioned the pricing dynamics in Nigeria’s aviation fuel market, pointing out that a large proportion of supply is sourced locally, yet prices remain significantly higher than global benchmarks.
The airline warned that if the current trend continues, operators may be forced to take difficult decisions, including reducing flight capacity, in order to remain viable. It added that sustained increases could ultimately threaten the ability of airlines to continue operations, as revenues are increasingly insufficient to cover fuel costs alone.
While reaffirming its commitment to maintaining services, the carrier called on fuel marketers to urgently review pricing structures to prevent further damage to the aviation sector and ensure the sustainability of domestic air transport.
