‎Keyamo pleads with domestic airlines against shutting operations, increasing fares

…To meet with operators Wednesday

‎By Chinelo Obogo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic airlines not to increase airfares or suspend flight operations, as carriers grapple with an increase in the cost of aviation fuel.

‎In a letter addressed to airline operators, Keyamo warned that an increase in airfares would cause hardship for the passengers and that any suspension of flight operations could disrupt movement, erode public confidence, and set the aviation reforms being pursued under President Bola Tinubu’s administration back.

‎He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the sector, describing aviation as “a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration” under the Civil Aviation Act, 2022.

‎To address the crisis, Keyamo said that a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja. The meeting will bring together airline operators, regulatory authorities, and other relevant stakeholders to work toward what the minister described as “a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution.”

‎The letter reads: “I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per liter as at February 28, 2026 to N3.300 per liter as at today, representing a three hundred percent (300 %) increase.

‎‎”At the outset, I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.

‎”Let me reiterate that the administration of President Bola Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance. In line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration. You will also acknowledge that this government has initiated unprecedented reforms in the sector aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of the businesses of local operators.

‎”In light of the foregoing, I am making the following appeals: First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport for a broad segment of Nigerians.

‎‎”Secondly, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector.

‎”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. Accordingly, a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution. The venue and time will be communicated in due course.”