The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised alarm over the lingering Jet-A1 aviation fuel crisis, warning that the situation could compromise safety standards and trigger massive job losses in Nigeria’s aviation sector if urgent steps are not taken.
The association said the persistent shortage of aviation fuel has continued to disrupt flight operations nationwide, forcing pilots and engineers to work beyond scheduled hours and increasing fatigue levels among aviation personnel.
NAAPE noted that fatigue remains one of the most critical safety threats in global aviation, as it can impair judgment, reduce alertness, and weaken situational awareness during flight operations.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the National President of NAAPE, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and fuel suppliers to urgently intervene in the crisis.
“NAAPE views with grave concern the ongoing Jet A1 aviation fuel supply crisis and its far-reaching consequences for our members, airline operators, the flying public, and the Nigerian economy at large,” he said.
According to Gindeh, repeated disruptions to flight schedules caused by fuel shortages have led to significant extensions in crew duty time beyond planned operational limits.
“For our members, pilots and engineers alike, this translates directly into elevated fatigue levels, a condition universally recognised in aviation as a critical safety hazard,” he stated.
“Fatigue impairs cognitive function, slows reaction time, and erodes situational awareness, which is one of the most essential tools required in managing the complexities of flight operations.”
The association also expressed concern over the financial impact of the crisis on airline operators, warning that prolonged delays and grounded aircraft were putting severe economic pressure on the industry.
It said the financial burden on airlines could eventually affect workers through delayed salaries, wage cuts, and worsening welfare conditions.
“A workforce operating under financial stress is a distracted workforce, and distraction in aviation can compromise safety,” the statement added
NAAPE further warned that some airlines had already begun restructuring operations due to the fuel crisis.
The association cited the recent decision by Rano Air to reduce some of its operational routes as an indication of the growing strain on the sector.
It warned that if the situation persists, more airlines may suspend routes, scale down operations, or shut down entirely, leading to significant job losses across the aviation industry.
The body stressed that aviation remains a vital driver of trade, tourism, business activities, and national connectivity, warning that prolonged disruption could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s economy.
