Airfares in Nigeria may increase in the coming weeks as the cost of aviation fuel, Jet A1, continues to soar, putting significant pressure on airline operations.
Industry checks show that Jet A1 prices have jumped sharply from about ₦900–₦995 per litre to between ₦2,500 and ₦2,700, largely driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis affecting global crude oil supply.
Airlines say the spike has drastically raised operating costs, with fuel now accounting for the largest share of expenses. Despite this, many carriers have maintained ticket prices at around ₦195,000, a level they warn is no longer sustainable.
The spokesperson for United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to engage operators on how they have managed to keep fares relatively stable amid rising costs.
He cautioned that if fuel prices climb further toward ₦3,000 per litre, some airlines may be forced to suspend operations, reducing available flights and pushing ticket prices even higher.
An aviation expert, Samuel Caulcrick, projected that airfares could rise by 20 to 25 per cent in the near term, noting that fuel now makes up about 45 per cent of airline operating costs.
He explained that this marks a shift from previous years when maintenance costs dominated, adding that sustained increases in fuel prices will inevitably be passed on to passengers.
