Ibom Air Raises Alarm Over Soaring Aviation Fuel Costs, Warns of Possible Flight Cuts in Nigeria

Nigeria’s aviation sector is under fresh strain as Ibom Airlines has warned that skyrocketing jet fuel prices could force it to reduce flight operations if the trend continues.

The state-owned carrier, Ibom Air, says the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs has made airline operations increasingly unsustainable, raising concerns across the industry about the future of domestic air travel.

Speaking in Uyo, Group Manager for Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, said the cost of fueling aircraft has surged at an alarming rate within weeks, placing heavy pressure on airline finances.

According to the airline, the average cost of fuel per flight rose from about ₦2.1 million in January to approximately ₦7.6 million by April 27 — a jump of more than 350% in just seven weeks.

Ibom Air questioned why aviation fuel prices in Nigeria remain significantly higher than in other countries, despite most marketers sourcing fuel locally, including from the Dangote Refinery.

The airline noted that it has deliberately resisted increasing ticket prices in a bid to remain competitive and avoid transferring the burden directly to passengers, even as operating costs continue to rise.

Essienette explained that this decision has forced the airline to absorb heavy financial losses, with expectations that the situation would ease within weeks — a hope that has not materialised.

Instead, the airline says the crisis has persisted for nearly two months, with no sign of relief, creating what it described as an unsustainable operating environment for carriers.

Ibom Air warned that if the situation does not improve, airlines may be forced to take difficult measures, including cutting flight capacity, to stay afloat.

It further cautioned that continued fuel price instability could push airlines into a survival mode where operational costs are consumed almost entirely by fuel expenses, threatening the long-term viability of services.