The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has issued a strong warning regarding the escalating shortage of Jet A1 fuel, which it says is beginning to create serious safety and operational hazards for Nigeria's aviation sector.
Impact on Flight Operations
The association expressed deep concern that the persistent disruptions in aviation fuel supply are leading to prolonged flight delays, extended crew duty hours, route adjustments, and mounting financial pressure on domestic airlines that are already grappling with rising operational costs.
Official Statement
In a statement released yesterday, NAAPE President Bunmi Gindeh warned that the growing instability in Jet A1 availability could erode critical safety margins within the aviation system if left unaddressed. He noted that prolonged duty periods resulting from delayed and disrupted schedules are increasing fatigue among flight crew members, with potential implications for operational safety.
Gindeh said: “The development comes at a difficult period for Nigeria’s aviation sector, where airlines continue to contend with foreign exchange volatility, high maintenance costs, airport infrastructure challenges and fluctuating fuel prices that have significantly altered operational economics over the past three years.”
He further emphasized that fatigue impairs cognitive function, slows reaction time, and most dangerously, erodes situational awareness.
Urgent National Intervention Needed
NAAPE emphasized that the situation requires urgent national intervention and urged the Federal Government, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and fuel suppliers to treat the Jet A1 shortage as a matter of urgent national priority.
Economic and Operational Strain
Gindeh expressed that aviation fuel remains one of the largest cost components for Nigerian airlines, accounting for a significant share of operating expenditure. He lamented that in recent years, operators have grappled with severe price fluctuations driven by forex pressures, supply chain bottlenecks, and dependence on imported petroleum products.
NAAPE noted that while passengers often bear the immediate consequences of delays and cancellations, the prolonged operational uncertainty also places hidden strain on crew scheduling, aircraft turnaround operations, and maintenance planning. The union further warned that the economic impact of the fuel shortage is beginning to affect airline workforce welfare and operational sustainability.
Industry Concerns
Gindeh raised concerns over the long-term viability of some domestic carriers if the disruptions continue, pointing to recent route reductions announced by Rano Air as early indicators of mounting industry pressure. He called for swift and coordinated action to prevent further deterioration of safety standards and operational stability in Nigeria's aviation sector.
