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Aviation stakeholders seek government intervention over rising fuel costs for 2026 Hajj operations
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Aviation stakeholders are urging the Federal Government to address the escalating cost of aviation fuel, warning that it could jeopardize preparations for the 2026 Hajj. Bukalti Gamawa, President of the Concerned Aviation Stakeholders, stated that the sharp increase in Jet A1 fuel prices, exacerbated by global oil price hikes due to international conflicts, poses a significant threat to airlifting thousands of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Nigeria's aviation industry has seen over a 300 percent rise in fuel prices, forcing some airlines to reduce or suspend operations. Stakeholders emphasize that many airlines contracted for the 2026 Hajj planned to lease aircraft, but the current fuel costs have eroded profit margins, potentially leading to operations at a loss. They advocate for urgent policy actions such as price regulation, forex support, or special fuel arrangements, despite the removal of Hajj subsidies. Gamawa warned that without immediate intervention, the 2026 Hajj could face record-high fares or operational disruptions. Jet A1, which was approximately ₦1,000 per litre in Nigeria and $0.68 per litre in Saudi Arabia when contracts were negotiated, now sells for up to ₦3,000 per litre in Nigeria and around $1.40 per litre in Saudi Arabia. This represents a 200% increase in Nigeria and over 105% in Saudi Arabia. For example, a single flight from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, consuming about 70,000 litres, would have cost ₦70 million but now costs around ₦175 million. Ai
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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