The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has warned that a persistent shortage of aviation fuel is threatening flight safety, airline operations and the welfare of aviation workers across Nigeria.
In a statement Sunday, NAAPE President Bunmi Gindeh described the worsening Jet A1 supply situation as a national concern requiring urgent intervention from aviation and petroleum regulators.
He said the prolonged disruption has created operational challenges for airlines, including flight delays, route adjustments and extended crew duty hours, which could compromise safety margins.
The warning comes as domestic carriers struggle with rising operating costs and high fuel prices that continue to strain Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Gindeh called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, fuel suppliers and other stakeholders to urgently address the crisis.
He said repeated disruptions to flight schedules were increasing fatigue among pilots and technical personnel, raising safety concerns.
“The persistent disruptions to flight schedules occasioned by the Jet A1 supply shortfall have resulted in significant extensions of crew duty time beyond planned parameters,” he said. “Fatigue impairs cognitive function, slows reaction time, and, most dangerously, erodes situational awareness.”
He noted that fatigue management remains a critical safety issue in global aviation, where regulators enforce strict limits on crew duty hours to reduce human error.
Gindeh also warned that the economic pressure from fuel shortages is worsening conditions for airlines already under financial strain.
“Grounded or delayed aircraft generate no revenue, yet fixed operational costs persist,” he said, adding that the burden often leads to delayed salaries and worsening welfare conditions for workers.
He cautioned that if the situation persists, airlines may be forced to cut routes, suspend operations or shut down entirely, leading to job losses and reduced connectivity.
NAAPE pointed to recent operational adjustments by some carriers, including route reductions by Rano Air, as early signs of growing pressure in the industry.
