The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has warned that the persistent shortage of aviation fuel is beginning to pose serious threats to flight safety, airline operations, and the welfare of aviation workers across the country. In a statement on Sunday, the President of NAAPE, Bunmi Gindeh, described the worsening Jet A1 situation as a national concern requiring urgent intervention from aviation and petroleum regulators.
The leader of pilots and aeronautical engineers in the country said the prolonged supply disruptions have triggered operational challenges for airlines, including flight delays, route adjustments, and extended crew duty hours that could dangerously affect safety margins in the sector.
He stated, “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. Fatigue impairs cognitive function, slows reaction time, and, most dangerously, erodes situational awareness.” Related News Who needs this new airport?
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The union also warned that the economic impact of the crisis is worsening pressure on airlines already struggling to remain financially stable amid rising operational costs. Gindeh said, “Grounded or delayed aircraft generate no revenue, yet fixed operational costs persist,” adding that the strain often filters down to workers through delayed salaries, worsening welfare conditions, and increased workplace stress.
NAAPE further cautioned that if the fuel crisis persists, more airlines could be forced to reduce operations, suspend routes, or shut down entirely, with devastating consequences for jobs and national connectivity. “Should the situation remain unaddressed, we anticipate further route suspensions, potential cessation of operations by some carriers, and significant job losses across the aviation sector,” Gindeh warned.
He also pointed to recent operational adjustments by some domestic airlines, including route reductions announced by Rano Air, as early indicators of the mounting pressure facing operators in the sector. In a statement on Sunday, the President of NAAPE, Bunmi Gindeh, described the worsening Jet A1 situation as a national concern requiring urgent intervention from aviation and petroleum regulators.
He also pointed to recent operational adjustments by some domestic airlines, including route reductions announced by Rano Air, as early indicators of the mounting pressure facing operators in the sector. The leader of pilots and aeronautical engineers in the country said the prolonged supply disruptions have triggered operational challenges for airlines, including flight delays, route adjustments, and extended crew duty hours that could dangerously affect safety margins in the sector.
He also pointed to recent operational adjustments by some domestic airlines, including route reductions announced by Rano Air, as early indicators of the mounting pressure facing operators in the sector. The development comes at a period when domestic carriers are battling rising operating costs, skyrocketing fuel prices, among others, that have continued to reshape the economics of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He also pointed to recent operational adjustments by some domestic airlines, including route reductions announced by Rano Air, as early indicators of the mounting pressure facing operators in the sector. He warned that the recurring disruptions to flight schedules caused by fuel shortages are increasing fatigue among pilots and technical personnel, a situation he said could have direct implications for aviation safety.