The Digest:
The Federal Government has appealed to domestic airline operators to suspend plans to shut down operations following a sharp rise in Jet A1 fuel price from N900 per litre in February to about N3,300 per litre, a 300% increase. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo urged operators to exercise restraint on airfare hikes, warning of "significant hardship" on the travelling public. An emergency stakeholders' meeting has been scheduled for April 22 in Abuja.
Key Points:
- Keyamo acknowledged the difficult operating environment faced by airlines.
- Marketers blame the hike on global supply disruptions from the Middle East crisis.
- The minister said the aviation sector is a "critical national asset."
- He warned that a shutdown would disrupt mobility, logistics, and public confidence.
- The meeting will bring together operators, regulators, and key players.
