……Pilots and Engineers Raise Alarm Over Mounting Operational Pressure Amid Persistent Aviation Fuel Scarcity
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has issued a fresh warning over the worsening Jet A1 aviation fuel crisis in Nigeria, describing the situation as a growing threat to flight safety, airline sustainability, and the stability of the country’s aviation industry.
The association expressed concern that the persistent fuel shortage is no longer a routine operational challenge but a structural crisis now affecting flight schedules, crew safety, and the financial survival of airlines across the country.
In a detailed statement, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said the scarcity of aviation fuel has continued to disrupt airline operations nationwide, resulting in frequent delays, cancellations, and unpredictable flight schedules that are placing enormous strain on both operators and personnel.
Rising Fatigue Levels Among Flight Crew Raise Safety Concerns
Captain Gindeh warned that pilots and aircraft engineers are increasingly being forced to operate under extended duty periods due to repeated delays and operational disruptions caused by fuel shortages.
He explained that such conditions significantly increase fatigue levels among flight crews, a situation he described as a major safety risk in aviation.
According to him, fatigue undermines critical aspects of flight operations, including concentration, situational awareness, and decision-making capacity, all of which are essential for safe and efficient air travel.
The association stressed that continued exposure to such conditions could compromise operational safety standards if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
Airlines Under Financial Pressure as Costs Rise and Operations Stall
Beyond safety concerns, NAAPE also highlighted the growing financial burden on airline operators, noting that grounded aircraft and delayed flights are leading to substantial revenue losses.
Despite reduced flight activity, airlines are still grappling with high fixed operational costs, including maintenance, staff remuneration, and regulatory obligations, creating a difficult financial imbalance across the sector.
The association further warned that the impact is already cascading down to aviation workers, with reports of delayed salaries, welfare constraints, and increasing job insecurity becoming more common within the industry.
Signs of Operational Cutbacks Emerging in the Sector
NAAPE pointed to early indicators of operational contraction within the aviation industry, referencing route reductions by Rano Air as a signal of the growing pressure on domestic carriers.
According to the association, such adjustments may represent only the beginning of deeper structural challenges if the Jet A1 supply crisis is not urgently resolved.
Captain Gindeh cautioned that prolonged instability in fuel supply could force more airlines to reduce routes, scale down operations, or potentially shut down entirely.
He warned that such a scenario would trigger widespread job losses, disrupt connectivity across the country, and weaken confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
NAAPE Calls for Urgent Government and Stakeholder Intervention
The association has therefore called on the Federal Government, aviation regulators, fuel suppliers, and industry stakeholders to take immediate steps to address the Jet A1 supply shortage.
NAAPE emphasised that stabilising fuel availability is critical not only to maintaining airline operations but also to safeguarding aviation safety and protecting thousands of jobs linked to the sector.
It urged authorities to treat the crisis as a national priority, warning that continued inaction could escalate operational risks and deepen economic losses within the aviation value chain.
NAAPE has raised an alarm over Nigeria’s worsening Jet A1 aviation fuel crisis, warning of rising flight disruptions, pilot fatigue, financial strain on airlines, and possible industry shutdowns if urgent intervention is not taken.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
