The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has issued a warning regarding a critical shortage of aviation fuel affecting Nigeria. The persistent Jet A1 supply crisis has led to delays, route changes, and extended crew duty hours across the country's airline industry, posing safety risks likely to compromise flight safety and operational efficiency.
In a statement, NAAPE President Bunmi Gindeh called for immediate intervention from regulatory authorities such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Petroleum Regulatory Authority. He emphasized that unresolved fuel shortages are increasing pilot and technical staff fatigue, which could impair flight safety due to longer duty periods. The crisis is also impacting airline finances, with some carriers like Rano Air reducing operating routes amid economic pressures.
Gindeh urged the government and industry stakeholders to treat resolving the Jet A1 supply issue as an urgent national priority. He cautioned that if the crisis persists, more airlines might suspend operations or cease entirely, resulting in significant job losses and reduced domestic connectivity. The union's comments highlight the necessity of a swift resolution to safeguard the safety and economic stability of Nigeria's aviation sector.
