The Airline Operators of Nigeria are to suspend all flight operations effective May 9, 2022, in protest against rising cost of aviation fuel in the West African country.

Nigeria imports nearly all of its jet fuel, despite being Africa’s largest oil producer.

In a statement, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which represents nine domestic carriers, said they are unable to keep subsidizing their services to the flying public and seek Federal Government’s intervention.

“Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shot up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%,” a statement by the group said.

The AON said it has engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down but with very little success.

“Unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure” the statement added.