Airlines Grapple With High Jet Fuel Prices and Unpaid Bills.
Airlines Grapple With High Jet Fuel Prices and Unpaid Bills.
Airline disruptions that left passengers stranded in Abuja have been linked to both the high cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel and unpaid debts owed by some operators to fuel marketers.
Air Peace passengers travelling to Lagos, Maiduguri and Asaba were affected by delays and cancellations last Friday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Some waited for several hours, while passengers bound for Maiduguri and Asaba spent the night at the airport. The disruptions prompted protests from frustrated travellers.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that fuel-related issues had prevented the airline from operating some flights. He said the regulator had been told that Air Peace was updating passengers, but did not provide further details about the cause of the fuel problem.
Air Peace later said the initial delays resulted from Jet A1 being unavailable at Abuja airport, affecting its operations and those of other airlines. It said flights resumed after fuel became available. The airline added that its Abuja–Maiduguri service was subsequently cancelled because the airport’s tower withdrew an earlier extension after visibility conditions changed and the airport could no longer operate beyond sunset.
The airline apologised, saying passengers had been informed and given refreshments. It said affected Maiduguri passengers received hotel accommodation and that arrangements were made to operate the flight the following day.
Fuel marketers, however, it was said that the product was available, but some airlines had not been supplied because they had outstanding debts. One source said certain operators owed millions of naira and could not expect continued deliveries without settling their bills.
An airline source said Jet A1 cost about N2,130 per litre in Lagos and Abuja, rising to between N2,180 and N2,230 at other airports. The source said the main challenge was the fuel’s price, which has increased operating costs. Local carriers are particularly exposed, the source added, because much of their income is earned in naira while many expenses are linked to foreign currency.
Aero Contractors Managing Director Ado Sanusi also dismissed claims of a nationwide fuel shortage, saying the Dangote refinery had helped ensure local availability. He put the price at around N2,000 per litre in Lagos and roughly N100 more elsewhere, while acknowledging that the cost remained a serious concern.
Sanusi said Aero Contractors was not indebted to fuel marketers and paid bills as soon as they were submitted. He declined to comment on other airlines’ finances.
Industry sources have urged the government to intervene, warning that rising operating costs could threaten the survival of Nigerian carriers.
