Nigerian air carrier Air Peace is facing significant challenges, leading to prolonged flight delays and sudden schedule changes, much to the frustration of its passengers. The airline has attributed these disruptions to ongoing aviation fuel (Jet A1) supply constraints affecting operations nationwide. In statements issued by Air Peace, it was noted that fuel availability remains limited, causing widespread disruption to scheduled departures. As a temporary measure, the airline has adjusted its Abuja–London service to three weekly flights until July 1, 2026, citing the need to maintain safety and operational reliability amidst the fuel crisis. Full frequency is expected to resume once conditions improve.

Passengers have voiced considerable inconvenience due to these disruptions. Francis Eze, for instance, described how his two elderly parents were stranded in Owerri after their flight was rescheduled from 10 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Another passenger, identified as Adam on X, criticized a delay that changed their flight from 1:40 p.m. to 6 p.m. In response to these complaints, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), reiterated that airlines are obligated to comply with passenger protection regulations during lengthy delays, including informing passengers and providing light refreshments after two hours. He advised passengers to seek assistance from NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal.

These operational issues are set against a backdrop of a broader crisis within Nigeria’s aviation sector. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had previously warned of a potential suspension of operations due to an “astronomical and unsustainable” surge in Jet A1 fuel prices. Fuel costs reportedly skyrocketed from approximately N900 per litre to over N3,300. Although the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened, urging airlines to avoid increasing fares or halting operations while the government sought solutions, the current wave of delays suggests that the underlying fuel supply challenges persist, continuing to strain airline operations and passenger experience across the country.

Adding to the concerns, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has raised fresh alarms regarding the survival of Nigerian airlines. Despite a recent Federal Government intervention, he warned that more operators could cease operations within days. Mr. Onyema praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a 30 percent reprieve on outstanding debts owed by airlines to federal aviation agencies, calling it a “very welcome development” and acknowledging the current administration's support for domestic airlines. However, he emphasized that the most critical challenge remains the exorbitant cost of aviation fuel, which he attributes to market conditions and global geopolitical tensions, particularly those involving Iran.

Onyema detailed the drastic increase in fuel prices, stating that before the crisis, fuel was around N900 per litre, but it has now escalated to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some suppliers charging as high as N3,300 to N3,500. This represents an increase of over 250 percent, placing immense pressure on airline operations. He highlighted that airlines are primarily flying to cover fuel costs while also grappling with high borrowing rates, stressing that compromising safety is not an option. The Air Peace chairman urgently called for a meeting with the President, revealing that at least two more airlines were at risk of shutting down soon. The government’s intervention, which includes a 30 percent reduction in debts owed by domestic airlines for fees such as parking and navigational charges, aims to ease financial pressure. Despite this relief, industry operators assert that the rising cost and limited availability of Jet A1 fuel continue to pose a major threat to the sustainability of Nigerian airlines.