The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has reaffirmed that airline passengers in Nigeria are entitled to care and support when flights are delayed or cancelled.

Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, outlined the obligations airlines must meet under consumer protection laws.

Airlines Must Provide Basic Care

Ijagwu explained that passengers should receive refreshments when flights are delayed, with additional support provided as the delay extends.

“If your flight is delayed, you are supposed to be given refreshments. After some more hours, you are also entitled to communication support such as airtime,” he said.

He added that such provisions are necessary, as prolonged delays can place passengers in distress.

Long Delays May Require Accommodation

According to the FCCPC, the level of care increases depending on how long passengers are stranded.

In cases of sudden cancellations—especially after long waiting periods—airlines may be required to provide transportation and even hotel accommodation.

“When a flight is cancelled after keeping passengers waiting for hours, airlines are expected to go beyond basic provisions,” Ijagwu noted.

Case-by-Case Assessment

The Commission stated that each incident is evaluated individually, considering the duration of the delay and how the airline responded.

This approach ensures that passengers receive fair treatment based on the specific circumstances of their experience.

Rising Complaints Across Airports

The FCCPC’s clarification comes amid growing complaints from travellers over repeated delays and cancellations at major airports, including Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Passengers have reported being stranded without adequate support such as transportation or accommodation.

Fuel Crisis Behind Disruptions

Industry stakeholders link many of the disruptions to the ongoing aviation fuel crisis, which has significantly increased airline operating costs.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria previously warned that jet fuel prices have surged from about ₦900 per litre to over ₦3,300 within weeks.

Possible Fare Increase Ahead

Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has indicated that higher airfares may be unavoidable as airlines struggle to stay operational.

Operators say current revenues can no longer cover rising costs, particularly fuel, raising concerns about further disruptions in the sector.

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Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing fresh pressure as rising jet fuel costs threaten airline operations, prompting the Federal Government to introduce emergency measures to stabilise the market.

The government has directed fuel marketers to sell aviation fuel directly to airlines and provide a 30-day credit facility to ease financial strain on operators.

Stakeholders Push for Urgent Intervention

The decision followed high-level meetings coordinated by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority after earlier consultations led by the Ministry of Aviation.

Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, airline operators, and fuel marketers.

Participants called for regulatory action to address pricing instability tied to global oil benchmarks, particularly Platts pricing components.

New Jet Fuel Price Benchmarks Introduced

Stakeholders agreed on a new indicative price range for aviation fuel based on current global market conditions:
• Lagos: ₦1,760 – ₦1,988 per litre
• Abuja: ₦1,809 – ₦2,037 per litre

However, prices may fluctuate due to volatility in global oil markets, especially amid geopolitical tensions such as the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Airlines Struggle with Rising Costs

Despite the benchmark, industry players say actual costs remain significantly higher when logistics and supply chain expenses are added.

Airlines report spending over ₦7 million to fuel a single domestic flight, with some operators paying as much as ₦7.6 million per trip.

One of Nigeria’s leading carriers, Ibom Air, disclosed that fuel costs have more than tripled in recent months, rising from about ₦2.1 million per flight earlier in the year.

The airline warned that the situation is unsustainable and may force capacity cuts or service disruptions if urgent solutions are not implemented.

Debt Crisis Deepens Sector Challenges

The aviation sector is also grappling with mounting debts, including over ₦9 billion owed by airlines to ground handling companies.

Members of the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria have threatened to withdraw services, raising concerns over possible nationwide flight disruptions.

Dangote Refinery Profits Amid Crisis

While airlines struggle, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is reportedly benefiting from strong global demand for jet fuel, exporting large volumes to Europe at premium prices.

The refinery produces about 24 million litres of jet fuel daily, with a significant share exported, even as domestic airlines face rising costs.

Calls for Long-Term Solutions

To address the crisis, stakeholders recommended:
• Inclusion of aviation fuel in the naira-for-crude initiative
• Reduction in the number of airside fuel distributors
• Improved access to local crude for domestic refining
• Pricing reforms to reflect local economic realities

Experts warn that while Nigeria’s deregulated fuel market allows price flexibility, it also exposes the aviation sector to global shocks.

Without sustained intervention, analysts say the rising cost of jet fuel could lead to higher airfares, reduced flight frequency, and broader disruptions across Nigeria’s aviation industry.

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Air passengers in may soon face higher ticket prices as the cost of aviation fuel, also known as Jet A1, continues to surge across the country.

Industry data shows that Jet A1 currently sells for about ₦1,835 per litre in Kano, ₦1,820 in Abuja, ₦1,815 in Port Harcourt, and ₦1,780 in Lagos, placing significant financial pressure on airline operators.

Airlines Under Rising Cost Pressure

The spokesperson for the , , said the sharp increase in aviation fuel prices could force airlines to review ticket fares soon.

According to him, airlines must submit fare adjustments to the for approval before implementation.

Okonkwo explained that aviation fuel previously sold for around ₦1,000 per litre before the recent global crisis, but prices have nearly doubled.

He added that airlines are already facing low passenger demand outside the peak travel season, which makes the rising operational costs even more difficult to absorb.

Global Oil Tensions Affect Aviation Industry

Okonkwo linked the sudden increase in fuel prices to global geopolitical tensions, particularly developments involving , which often influence international oil prices.

He noted that the aviation industry is highly sensitive to external factors such as global conflicts, weather conditions, and currency fluctuations.

Dollar Dependence Driving Fuel Costs

Aviation analyst said Nigeria’s reliance on the United States dollar for petroleum transactions is a key factor behind the rising price of Jet A1.

According to him, even locally refined fuel must be priced based on global crude oil rates in dollars.

He noted that if fuel transactions were conducted purely in naira, aviation fuel could cost closer to ₦900 per litre.

Caulcrick explained that refiners and suppliers, including , must convert their earnings into dollars to purchase crude oil at international market prices.

CBN Interventions Supporting the Naira

The analyst also pointed out that the has been intervening in the foreign exchange market to prevent the naira from weakening further.

He warned that without such interventions, the naira could have depreciated to around ₦1,000 per dollar, which would push aviation fuel prices even higher.

Passengers Likely to Feel the Impact

Experts say the rising fuel cost will inevitably lead to higher ticket prices.

While business travellers may continue to fly despite the increase, leisure travellers could reduce their trips due to affordability concerns.

This could result in lower seat occupancy rates for airlines and further strain their revenues.

The post Airfares May Increase as Aviation Fuel Price Hits ₦1,835 Per Litre in Nigeria appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Airlines in Nigeria will, from January 1, 2026, resume the payment of import duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) on commercial aircraft, engines, spare parts, and air tickets – a policy reversal that ends the tax exemption introduced under the Buhari administration.

The decision was disclosed during a Business Webinar hosted by Aviation & Allied Business in partnership with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), themed “Nigeria Tax Act (2025) & The Aviation Industry: Aviation Sector Enlightenment Initiative.”

Speaking at the event, Nkechi Umegakwe, Assistant Director of the Nigeria Revenue Service (formerly FIRS), said the government would fully implement the provisions of the Tax Reforms Act, stressing that there would be “no going back.”

She explained that, unlike the current regime where airlines enjoy waivers, all aviation operators must, from next year, remit VAT on their services, imports, and ticketing operations.

The reversal has already drawn criticism. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) faulted the policy shift, warning that Nigeria risks violating international treaties under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), both of which discourage fiscal barriers that impede regional and global air transport.

The aviation industry, already grappling with high operational costs and foreign exchange shortages, is expected to feel the impact of the renewed taxation, with stakeholders warning it could drive up ticket prices and undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional aviation hub.

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged to see the Fly Nigeria Act passed into law during his tenure, ending over 15 years of stagnation since its initial proposal.

The Act seeks to mandate government-financed air transportation of personnel, contractors, grantees, and property to be carried exclusively by Nigerian air carriers. Despite its potential to bolster the nation’s aviation sector, the bill has faced delays in materializing into law.

Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on the legal framework for the Fly Nigeria Bill in Abuja, Keyamo expressed his determination to push the bill forward by rallying major stakeholders. He emphasized the necessity of the law to protect and grow Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“This has been on the cards for more than 15 years, dating back to my predecessor, Chief Omotoba. Under my tenure, it will happen,” Keyamo asserted. “When I assumed office, I saw several initiatives, including the Cape Town Convention and other proposals to develop the local aviation industry, sitting idle on my desk. Reviving the Fly Nigeria Act is a top priority.”

Prominent stakeholders, including the Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, alongside the Association’s spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, hailed the move as a significant step toward revitalizing the country’s domestic airline industry.

Keyamo also addressed the challenges African airlines face in competing with international carriers. He criticized the dominance of foreign airlines in African markets, noting their impact on the growth of indigenous airlines.

“It’s a global conspiracy. Foreign airlines dominate African markets, ensuring local aviation remains underdeveloped. This must change,” he said.

The minister outlined plans to convene a technical committee and engage the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process. He expressed confidence that the bill would receive swift attention, with senators already showing readiness to deliberate on it.

“This bill is not just good for the aviation sector; it is vital for empowering local operators and reclaiming our market from foreign dominance,” Keyamo added.

The Fly Nigeria Act is seen as a potential game-changer for the nation’s aviation sector, offering opportunities to develop domestic airlines and ensure the sector contributes more significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

The post Keyamo: Government Officials, Contractors Must Fly Nigerian Airlines appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

This clarification was provided by Chris Najomo, the acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in an official statement.

Najomo explained that Nigeria attained Category One status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme in 2010, which permits Nigerian airlines to operate flights directly into the U.S. This status was reaffirmed after subsequent re-evaluations by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2014 and 2017.

However, Najomo addressed concerns that Nigeria was de-listed in 2022, clarifying that this was due to Nigerian airlines’ inability to meet specific operational requirements rather than any safety or security issues.

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“It is important to clarify here that the de-listing of Nigeria has absolutely nothing to do with any safety or security deficiency in our oversight system,” Najomo stated. He emphasized that Nigeria has successfully undergone comprehensive safety and security audits by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC) identified.

Najomo further explained that while Nigerian airlines can no longer operate directly under Category One, they can still fly to the U.S. using aircraft wet-leased from a country that retains Category One status. This arrangement ensures that NCAA continues to adhere to international safety and security standards.

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He reiterated that the decision to de-list Nigeria in 2022 was solely based on the inability of Nigerian airlines to meet specific requirements for offering services to the U.S. or carrying the airline code as a U.S. operator. However, this decision does not reflect any shortcomings in Nigeria’s aviation safety or security oversight.

The post Nigerian Airlines Not Banned by U.S., Says Aviation Authority appeared first on Housing TV Africa.