Rano Air has temporarily suspended a number of its domestic flight operations as the worsening aviation fuel crisis continues to batter Nigeria’s airline industry.
The airline attributed the decision to the soaring cost of Jet A1 fuel, which it said has risen by more than 300 per cent, making operations on certain routes financially unsustainable.
In a statement released by its management via its official X handle, the carrier said the unprecedented increase in fuel prices has placed severe strain on its operations, forcing it to scale down services on selected routes.
Although the airline did not officially disclose the affected destinations, insider sources indicated that Maiduguri and Gombe may be among the routes likely to face temporary suspension.
A source familiar with the development revealed that over half of the airline’s current network could be impacted pending final management decisions.
Rano Air currently services key domestic destinations including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, and Osubi.
According to the airline, the temporary route suspension became necessary to preserve operational safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Passengers with existing bookings on affected routes have been assured of support through refund options, flight rescheduling, or alternative routing arrangements.
The airline urged customers to reach out through its customer service channels for assistance while reaffirming its commitment to restoring suspended operations once market conditions improve.
Rano Air expressed appreciation to passengers and stakeholders for their understanding and continued support during the challenging period.
The latest move underscores the deepening crisis facing domestic carriers, many of which have repeatedly warned that escalating aviation fuel prices could cripple flight operations nationwide.
Despite previous Federal Government interventions and regulatory price controls through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), operators say fuel prices remain prohibitively high, with some airlines reportedly still purchasing Jet A1 at nearly N3,000 per litre.
Industry stakeholders continue to express concern that persistent global oil supply disruptions, worsened by the Middle East conflict, may further compound Nigeria’s fragile aviation sector.
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