Airlines Signal Possible Ticket Hike as Aviation Fuel Climbs to ₦1,600 Per Litre
Domestic airline ticket prices in Nigeria may soon rise as aviation fuel costs surge sharply across the country, increasing operational pressure on carriers.
Industry operators say airfares in the local market could increase by 20 to 25 per cent in the coming days following a steep jump in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which has climbed from about ₦940–₦980 per litre to between ₦1,500 and ₦1,600 per litre in less than two weeks.
Airline sources indicated that operators are already monitoring the situation and may adjust fares to reflect the higher operating costs.
Jet fuel remains the largest single expense in airline operations, traditionally accounting for 30 to 35 per cent of total operating costs. However, with the recent increase, industry observers say the share could rise to 40–45 per cent, further tightening airline finances.
The price of aviation fuel currently varies across airports. At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the product sells for about ₦1,500 per litre, while at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport it is around ₦1,600 per litre. In other locations such as the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, prices have been reported at ₦1,700 per litre or higher.
Industry insiders, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the price of aviation fuel has remained unstable since February 28, 2026, fluctuating several times within the period.
The rise in aviation fuel prices comes amid broader increases in fuel costs nationwide. Recently, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to ₦1,175 per litre from ₦995, marking the third price adjustment within a week. The refinery also revised the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to ₦1,620 per litre.
Airline executives say the development could inevitably affect ticket prices. The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, said airlines are already facing higher commodity costs and may need to adjust fares in response to market conditions.
Similarly, the spokesperson for United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, said airline operators are closely observing developments in the market and may respond as the situation evolves, noting that airlines purchase fuel from the same supply market.
An aviation industry analyst, Samuel Caulcrick, said the persistent increase in aviation fuel prices is significantly reshaping airline cost structures.
According to him, while aircraft maintenance used to be the largest component of airline expenses, the continuous rise in Jet A1 prices has now made fuel the dominant cost factor.
He added that when the cost of such a major operational component increases, it inevitably affects ticket pricing, warning that passengers may see a 20–25 per cent rise in airfares in the near future as airlines attempt to offset the higher expenses.
