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Nigerian airlines stop flying because of rising fuel prices

Nigerian airlines stopped all domestic flights from May 9 because fuel prices continued to skyrocket, due to the impact of the Ukraine conflict.

Nigerian airline operators say jet fuel prices have risen from 190 naira to 700 naira per liter ($0.45 to nearly $1.70).

“There is no airline in the world that can withstand such a sudden shock from soaring fuel prices in such a short period of time,” the Association of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said on May 7.

AON said it would have to charge customers 120,000 naira ($289) for the hour-long flight, an amount beyond what Nigerians “are already struggling with”. Therefore, AON “regrets to inform the public that member airlines will cease operations nationwide from May 9 until further notice”.





An Arik airliner took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, Nigeria in July 2020.  Photo: Reuters.

An Arik airliner took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, Nigeria in July 2020. Image: Reuters.

Ministry of Aviation Nigeria and Nigeria’s consumer protection agency urged airlines to consider the impact of the shutdown on passengers.

Many social media users mocked the airlines’ suggestion that customers find alternative transportation. “I hope you can walk from Lagos to Abuja?” said one Twitter user, referring to the more than 700km journey between the country’s largest city and the Nigerian capital. Usually this journey takes about an hour or so.

“If you use the road, I hope you have enough ransom?” wrote another, concerned about kidnappings in the country.

Nigeria produces 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day, but the amount of refined oil is very small. The country relies almost entirely on fuel imports, leaving the domestic market vulnerable to disruptions.

Fuel prices have skyrocketed around the world since Russia was hit by a series of Western sanctions over its military campaign in Syria. Ukraine February 24th. This situation caused prolonged power outages in recent weeks in Nigeria.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP)

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