The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised concern over the ongoing shortage of Jet-A1 aviation fuel, warning that the situation could endanger flight safety and lead to job losses across Nigeria’s air transport industry if not urgently addressed.

The association said the persistent disruption in aviation fuel supply has continued to affect flight operations nationwide, forcing pilots and aircraft engineers to work longer hours than originally scheduled.

According to NAAPE, this extended duty time is resulting in increased fatigue levels among flight crew, a condition widely recognised in global aviation standards as a serious safety risk.

In a statement issued by its National President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, the association called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and fuel suppliers to take immediate action to resolve the crisis.

Gindeh said NAAPE is deeply concerned about the wider impact of the fuel shortage on pilots, engineers, airline operators, passengers and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

He stressed that the association’s responsibility is to protect the welfare and professional interests of aviation workers while ensuring safety standards are not compromised.

He explained that repeated disruptions to flight schedules have significantly increased crew duty hours beyond safe operational limits, warning that fatigue reduces cognitive performance, slows reaction time and weakens situational awareness—key elements required for safe flight operations.

According to him, this situation places passengers at increased risk, as aviation personnel may be forced to operate under unsafe and exhausting conditions.

NAAPE also noted that the crisis is placing heavy financial pressure on airlines, as delayed and grounded flights continue to generate losses despite ongoing operational costs.

The association warned that such financial strain is already affecting workers through delayed salaries, reduced earnings and declining welfare conditions.

The body further cautioned that economic stress within the sector could lead to distractions among staff, which in turn may heighten safety risks in aviation operations.

Gindeh referenced recent operational adjustments by some airlines, including route reductions announced by Rano Air, as early signs of deeper financial and operational challenges caused by the fuel shortage.

He warned that if the situation persists, more airlines may be forced to suspend routes or scale down operations, potentially resulting in widespread job losses in the aviation industry.

NAAPE also highlighted the broader implications for the Nigerian economy, noting that aviation plays a key role in trade, tourism, and national connectivity. It warned that continued disruption could have far-reaching consequences beyond the sector itself.