Pilots, engineers raise concern over aviation fuel shortage

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.

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.

In his statement, Gindeh stated, “We hereby call on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, fuel suppliers, and all relevant stakeholders to treat the resolution of this Jet A1 supply crisis as a matter of urgent national priority.”

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.

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.”

Within the global aviation industry, fatigue management remains one of the most critical safety concerns, with regulators imposing strict limits on crew duty periods to reduce the risk of human error during flight operations.

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.