The Federal Government, airlines under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), and oil marketers are scheduled to meet in Abuja today over the rising aviation fuel prices.

Domestic airline operators suspended a planned shutdown of flight operations on Monday over high jet fuel prices due to the scarcity of the product.

The Middle East crisis, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, has been blamed for the scarcity of aviation, with the one available attracting high prices.

The scarcity bite is translating into widespread flight cancellations and a crippled domestic flight schedule. AON said it agreed to suspend the planned strike following an appeal from the government, which called for restraint and dialogue.

Spokesman for AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, lamented that fuel now accounts for over 35 per cent of airline revenue in Nigeria, adding that operators are struggling with “forex volatility”, making it nearly impossible to pay for imported refined fuel.

The United Nigeria Airlines chairman warned that for tickets to reflect the true cost of fuel, prices would have to rise to levels the average Nigerian passenger cannot afford, leading to ghost flights with empty seats.

The carriers are demanding liquidity relief and an end to service providers’ upfront payment requirements to keep planes in the sky. International airlines are also facing a fuel crisis.

The conflict has fundamentally altered international air travel through supply shortages and skyrocketing operational risks.

While crude oil rose by 35 per cent, global jet fuel prices have doubled due to disruptions in refined product flows from Middle Eastern hubs. In just the first two weeks of conflict, regional airlines lost roughly $1.9 billion; total losses have now exceeded $3 billion.

Experts, who spoke with our correspondent, said Nigeria is uniquely vulnerable, with the crisis exposing deep structural weaknesses in the West African aviation supply chain.