Flight Chaos Deepens as Jet A1 Scarcity Grips Nigerian Aviation, Ground Handlers Threaten Shutdown

Air travellers across Nigeria are enduring widespread flight disruptions as a prolonged shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel strains airline operations and triggers a fresh threat from ground handling companies to withdraw services over unpaid debts.

The scarcity, linked to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel conflict in Iran, has driven Jet A1 prices up by over 300 percent. Airlines under the Airline Operators of Nigeria had last week threatened to suspend operations entirely but were persuaded by the Federal Government to stay their hand while stakeholders convened emergency talks. A meeting with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development took place on Wednesday, followed by a session with oil marketers on Thursday. However, as of press time, no tangible relief has materialised for carriers.

The only concession to emerge was a 30 percent discount on debts owed by airlines to service providers. The airlines had pushed for a full waiver of their liabilities to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, among others. The shortfall has left operators scrambling. Air Peace has already cut its London-Heathrow frequencies to three per week, and several airlines are rationalising routes and reducing daily flights.

The operational strain is visible across major airports in Lagos and Abuja, where passengers face prolonged waits, last-minute rescheduling, and repeated cancellations. A social media influencer recently accused a carrier of issuing boarding passes despite knowing no fuel was available.

Ground Handlers Issue Seven-Day Ultimatum

In a parallel crisis, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria has warned that its members may suspend services from Tuesday, April 28, 2026, unless domestic airlines clear outstanding debts exceeding N9 billion.

In a letter dated April 21 and addressed to the AON President, AGHAN Chairman Olaniyi Adigun and Vice Chairman Ahmed Bashir said the debt has placed severe pressure on the operational capacity and financial health of its members, which include SAHCO Plc, NAHCO Plc, Butake Handling Company, Precision Handling Company Limited, and Swissport Handling Company.

“Despite repeated engagements and efforts made in good faith by our members to secure settlement of these obligations, the responses received thus far have not yielded the desired outcomes, with payment commitments largely unmet,” the letter stated. The handlers warned they may be “constrained to withdraw services should these outstanding debts remain unresolved within seven days.”

The letter was copied to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, the DSS Director-General, and the Inspector-General of Police.

Analyst Cautions Against Scapegoating Air Peace

Aviation analyst Fred Chukwuelobe has cautioned against pinning the fuel crisis on Air Peace, arguing that the disruption is a global phenomenon. “There is a renewed and rather orchestrated onslaught against Air Peace over the current shortage of aviation fuel. Let’s be clear: this is not a crisis created by one airline, nor is it peculiar to Nigeria. It is a global aviation challenge driven by supply constraints, price volatility, and persistent disruptions in the fuel value chain as a result of the Middle East crisis,” he said.

He noted that major international carriers, including Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have similarly adjusted schedules and reduced capacity. Chukwuelobe urged a shift in focus toward long-term solutions, particularly strengthening local refining capacity, improving supply chain resilience, and creating a more stable operating environment for all airlines.

As the fuel scarcity persists and the ground handlers’ deadline looms, the sector faces the prospect of even deeper turmoil in the coming days if urgent intervention is not secured.