RISING AVIATION FUEL COSTS MAY DISRUPT 2026 HAJJ EXERCISE
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Aviation stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to take swift action over the soaring cost of aviation fuel, warning that it could jeopardize preparations and disrupt the successful airlift of pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement on Sunday, the President of the Concerned Aviation Stakeholders, Bukalti Gamawa, said the sharp rise in Jet A1 fuel prices now poses a major threat to transporting thousands of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He linked the spike in fuel costs to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have driven up global oil prices and impacted economies worldwide.
Within Nigeria, aviation fuel prices have surged by more than 300%, forcing some airlines to scale back operations, while others warn they may suspend services altogether. Stakeholders cautioned that the situation represents one of the most serious logistical and financial challenges facing recent Hajj operations.
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They noted that many airlines involved in the 2026 Hajj will rely on leased aircraft to meet demand, but the spike in fuel prices has already eroded expected profit margins. In some cases, airlines could break even or even incur losses after covering leasing and operational costs, raising concerns that some operators may struggle to begin or sustain flights.
Although governments no longer subsidize Hajj operations, stakeholders are calling for urgent measures—such as price controls, foreign exchange support, or special fuel arrangements—to prevent a crisis. Without intervention, they warned, pilgrims may face significantly higher fares or disruptions to the exercise.
They explained that when contracts were initially signed, Jet A1 cost about ₦1,000 per litre in Nigeria and around $0.68 per litre in Saudi Arabia. Prices have since surged to as high as ₦3,000 per litre in Nigeria and about $1.40 per litre in Saudi Arabia, drastically increasing operating costs.
For instance, a single flight consuming about 70,000 litres of fuel would have cost roughly ₦70 million at earlier rates but now costs between ₦175 million and nearly ₦200 million, adding over ₦100 million in extra expenses per trip.
Stakeholders also highlighted a “double burden” for airlines: high fuel costs in Nigeria for outbound flights and even higher international fuel prices in foreign currency for return journeys from Saudi Arabia. They stressed that unless coordinated action is taken by government, regulators, airlines, and fuel suppliers, the 2026 Hajj could face unprecedented cost pressures and operational challenges.
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