Business

Aviation Fuel: Domestic Airlines Risk Shutting Down Over Rising Price Of Jet A1

Published

2 years ago

April 1, 2024

Kenny

Indications have emerged revealing that some domestic airlines may cease operations over the rising price of aviation fuel, otherwise known as Jet A1.

Given that there has been a sustained increase in the price of aviation fuel over the last two years, airlines have been forced to enhance their operations by raising ticket prices.

In less than eight months, specifically between July 2023 and February 2024, the product’s swinging price saw local carriers struggle with 109 per cent price increment.

The 12 scheduled airlines in the country, including Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Max Air, Azman, Dana Air, Ibom Air, Green Africa, Overland, Rano Air, ValueJet and United Nigeria Airlines, UNA, had made efforts to stay in business, even as the price of jet fuel surged from N629 to N1,316.

With the situation no longer sustainable, some airlines are looking at discontinuing operations, Vanguard has gathered.

Fluctuations

Although efforts to get the price of jet fuel as of press time failed, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, told Vanguard that it was fluctuating between N1,300 and N1,500.

Uriesi said: “It is a massive challenge because fuel is the major cost. In two years, it has gone from about N200 to N1,500. No matter how prudent an airline is, it cannot absorb that kind of increase in the major cost input. The increase is so massive that it is difficult to attack by raising fares. We think that we have reached the plateau in terms of using fares to absorb all these inflationary issues – the value of naira and increase in price of fuel, which are the two most important components for a domestic airline.

Reached the zenith

“I think we have reached the zenith of how much we can charge higher for people to travel without stopping them from buying tickets. What I can say right now is that the recent strengthening of the Naira was just like an oxygen mask for the domestic airlines because it had reached the point where it was no longer sustainable. I don’t think any other group of airlines in the world faces the challenges that Nigerian airlines face.”

Refining

Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, in a chat with Vanguard, also warned that if the country does not start refining Jet A1, the situation might worsen.

He said: “Cost has been skyrocketing and from the normal 35 to 40 per cent of airlines’ cost, it has now jumped to close to 80 per cent. And in some cases, 90 to 95 per cent. It means when tickets are sold, 90 per cent of the ticket goes to buying Jet A1. It’s a direct relationship. When the price increases, cost increases.

“Airlines increase the prices of their tickets and transfer the cost to the customer. Until we start refining jet fuel in the country, we will depend on imports. While we are depending on import, we are looking at the cost with a naira to dollar exchange rate. I don’t know whether Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries are equipped to refine Jet A1, but even if they are, it would take a little bit of time before we feel the impact.”

Cartel

While calling on Federal Government to make importation of jet fuel transparent, Sanusi said: “If the federal government can make the importation as transparent as possible, I think it will give the airlines a picture of what the price will be. If the price can be published by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, we will know the price and that there is no cartel fixing the price. If they do that, I think it would stabilize the price because right now, some airlines are struggling and some will continue to struggle until they struggle no more and then give up.”

VANGUARD

Business

Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
“We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

Business

JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

Business

Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price

Published

6 days ago

April 29, 2026

Editor

Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.