… As United Nigeria Air withdraws Airbus after sixth bird strike
By Charles Ebi
Nigerian airlines have threatened to suspend operations nationwide from April 20, 2026, following a sharp surge in Jet A1 prices that has pushed aviation fuel above N3,000 per litre.
The development was reported by Channels TV on Wednesday, citing a letter from the Airline Operators of Nigeria ,AON, to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria ,MEMAN.
The operators said the situation has made flight operations increasingly unsustainable, with airlines struggling to absorb the sharp increase in costs.
They warned that without urgent intervention, the industry could face a coordinated shutdown that would disrupt air travel across the country.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria ,AON, said airlines will be forced to suspend operations from April 20, 2026, if the current jet fuel price trend continues. The group described the notice as a final appeal after weeks of absorbing rising operational
“Accordingly, we hereby give notice that if this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be compelled to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal,” AON said in its letter.
AON said Jet A1 prices surged from about N900 per litre as of February 28 to around N3,300 per litre within weeks, describing the increase as over 300%.
The operators also said airline revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel costs alone, warning that operations have become commercially unviable.
They added that the spike is “artificial” and far above global crude oil trends, which rose by about 30 per cent in the same period.
AON further noted that airlines had continued operating for weeks out of patriotism, but said the burden had become unsustainable. It warned that the pricing situation is already “decimating the aviation industry” and could affect national security, the economy, and millions of livelihoods if not addressed.
The warning comes weeks after industry stakeholders already raised concerns that rising Jet A1 prices were putting pressure on airline operations.
At the time, aviation fuel had crossed N2,000 per litre, prompting expectations of fare increases and possible flight reductions.
Since then, prices have climbed further, surpassing N3,000 per litre as of April 15, 2026, intensifying pressure on operators already dealing with high operating costs.
Stakeholders, including aviation fuel experts and energy executives, had earlier warned that airlines would have little choice but to pass rising fuel costs to passengers. Jet A1 is estimated to account for more than 40% of airline operating expenses in Nigeria, making it the single most significant cost driver in the sector.
Industry players also noted that fuel marketers have struggled to consistently restock aviation fuel in recent weeks.
The International Air Transport Association ,IATA, has projected that African airlines will remain marginally profitable in 2026, even with a 6% increase in passenger traffic. However, the region continues to face some of the highest operating costs globally, leaving airlines with extremely thin margins.
African carriers are projected to record a net profit of about $0.2 billion in 2026. The region operates with an average net margin of about -1%.
Revenue per passenger remains low compared to other regions, while operating costs are among the highest globally.
By comparison, airlines in the Middle East, Europe, and North America are expected to post significantly stronger profits in 2026, supported by stronger hubs, more efficient capacity management, and relatively stable operating environments.
Middle Eastern carriers are projected to lead globally with $6.8 billion in net profit, while European airlines are expected to earn about $14 billion. North American carriers are also projected to remain profitable at $11.3 billion, despite slower demand growth.
The spike in jet fuel prices, which has impacted the aviation industry globally, further strains an aviation industry driven by thin margins.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines says it has withdrawn Airbus A320-200 from operations after it was hit by a bird strike on Wednesday.
Chibuikem Uloka, the Public Relations Officer of United Nigeria, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said that it was the sixth bird strike involving the company carriers in 2026.
Uloka said the incident occurred on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Port Harcourt International Airport operating Flight UN0515 on April 15.
He said the nose section of the aircraft was affected.
“We regret to inform our valued passengers and the general public of yet another bird strike aircraft involving one of our Airbus A320-200″, he said.
The company said it had immediately withdrawn the aircraft from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service.
It said this was in line with its strict and uncompromising safety standards.
”This marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026, an occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.
“This brings the total number of grounded aircraft to two in less than 24 hours.
“As a result, some flights across our network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled”, it said.
United Nigeria regretted any inconvenience the decision may cause urging passengers understanding as safety remained top priority.
The company said it was working diligently to minimise disruptions and provision of support to all affected travellers.
