LAGOS, NIGERA — Nigerian airline operators are struggling to continue their services due to the enormous increase in aviation fuel prices, which surged 260% in the West African country.
There are six active airlines in Nigeria. They have called off a plan to halt domestic flights from Monday to protest the unacceptable rise in fuel prices.
But in a joint statement on Sunday, they announced that they would continue domestic and regional flights thanks to a commitment by federal government officials to engage institutions to provide support to the country's airlines to subsidize their fuel costs. Fuel costs constitute 95% of the Nigerian carriers operating costs.
International crude oil prices have increased 40% since the beginning of 2022 due to several factors, including Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
Despite being Africa's largest crude oil producer, Nigeria imports most of its fuel because of the lack of oil refineries in the country.
