Airline passengers in Nigeria may soon face higher ticket prices as the cost of aviation fuel continues to surge across the country.
Recent market data shows that the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel has increased sharply from between N940 and N980 per litre to about N1,500 and N1,600 per litre within less than two weeks, representing an estimated 63 per cent rise.
Industry operators say they are closely monitoring the development, noting that ticket fares could increase by about 25 per cent or more if the trend continues.
Aviation fuel is the largest expense for airline operations, typically accounting for 30 to 35 per cent of total operating costs. However, with the current price spike, industry insiders say fuel expenses could now represent 40 to 45 per cent of airline operational costs.
Sources within the aviation industry, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, said the price of Jet A1 has been unstable since February 28, 2026, changing several times within that period.
According to the sources, the price currently varies across airports. Aviation fuel sells for about N1,500 per litre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, N1,600 per litre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and around N1,700 or more at airports in Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Kano, among others.
The rise in aviation fuel costs follows a recent increase in petrol prices after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N1,175 per litre, marking the third price adjustment within one week. The refinery also increased the price of diesel to N1,620 per litre.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of Aerocontractors, Ado Sanusi, said higher ticket prices may be unavoidable due to the rising cost of commodities, especially aviation fuel.
He explained that airlines are purchasing fuel at significantly higher rates, adding that ticket prices would likely adjust in line with market realities.
Similarly, the spokesperson for United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, said airline operators are responding to prevailing economic conditions and may soon review their fares.
According to him, the situation reflects a demand-and-supply dynamic, noting that all airlines sourcing fuel from the same market would likely react in similar ways.
Aviation industry analyst Samuel Caulcrick also predicted an increase in ticket prices, explaining that the current fuel cost could push operational expenses to nearly 45 per cent of airline budgets.
He noted that in the past, aircraft maintenance used to be the largest operational cost, but the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices has now overtaken it.
Caulcrick added that if fuel prices remain high, passengers should expect airfares to increase by between 20 and 25 per cent in the coming days.
