Aviation Fuel Price Band Set as Nigeria Prepares for 2026 Hajj Airlift
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Nigeria’s aviation sector is bracing for operational adjustments ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise following a new pricing framework for Jet-A1 fuel introduced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The regulator has recommended an indicative price band of between N1,760 and N1,988 per litre nationwide, with a slightly higher range of N1,809 to N2,037 per litre applicable in Lagos and Abuja.
The decision follows a technical review meeting convened on April 24, 2026, in response to sustained volatility in aviation fuel costs and mounting pressure from domestic airline operators.
Industry analysts note that the revised pricing regime comes at a critical time, as Nigeria prepares to commence the airlift of over 50,000 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj operation.
Airlines allocate a significant share of their operating expenses to aviation fuel, and fluctuations in Jet-A1 pricing directly affect fare structures and overall pilgrimage logistics.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority based the new price benchmarks on Platts average market indices recorded between April 17 and 23, 2026.
The authority, however, cautioned that purchases outside this window may attract higher costs due to prevailing global market volatility, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and varying operational expenses across the supply chain.
To stabilise supply and pricing, the regulator has proposed a series of structural interventions. These include directing fuel marketers to sell directly to airline operators, reducing intermediaries within the distribution chain.
It also recommended the introduction of a 30-day credit facility to ease cash flow constraints for airlines, particularly during high-demand periods such as the Hajj season.
Further measures outlined by the authority include collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to streamline and validate airside fuel distributors, with a view to improving efficiency and eliminating operational redundancies.
In addition, the Ministry of Aviation will convene a high-level stakeholder meeting between oil marketers and airline operators to address outstanding debt obligations, a key factor contributing to supply disruptions.
The NMDPRA also signalled plans to integrate aviation turbine kerosene into the Federal Government’s “Naira-for-Crude” initiative, a move aimed at cushioning the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on fuel pricing.
With the Hajj airlift scheduled to commence in early May 2026, stakeholders within the aviation and pilgrimage management ecosystem are closely monitoring the implementation of these measures.
The success of the intervention will play a decisive role in ensuring cost stability, operational efficiency, and the seamless transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to the Saudi Arabia.
