“The aviation fuel market remains adequately supplied despite recent media reports suggesting tightening availability and rising prices,” said George Ene-Ita, Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
NMDPRA confirmed that Nigeria has a total of 74 days of aviation fuel supply sufficiency. This includes 12 days of inland stock sufficiency and an additional 62 days covered by refinery stock. As of April 16, 2026, the ex-gantry price of aviation fuel from Dangote Petroleum Refinery was N1,879 per litre.
However, the retail prices for aviation fuel across Nigeria ranged between N1,960 and N2,800 per litre as of April 17, 2026. The deregulated market allows prices to be determined by market forces, which can lead to fluctuations based on global conditions.
Airlines in Europe and Asia are facing potential jet fuel shortages due to ongoing conflicts in Iran. The International Energy Agency warned that several European countries may experience jet fuel shortages within the next six weeks. Yet, the United States is not currently in immediate danger of running out of jet fuel.
Rising global prices are impacting airlines significantly. Delta Airlines projected an additional $2 billion in fuel costs for the year due to these increases. Similarly, United Airlines could see an extra $11 billion in costs if current conditions persist.
Spirit Airlines has also expressed concern about how rising fuel costs could negatively impact its financial results. Fitch Ratings noted that financially weaker airlines might struggle to absorb these pressures. “Financially weaker airlines that may struggle to absorb these combined pressures could default and/or return aircraft early,” they stated.
The situation underscores the fragility of the airline industry in the face of rising operational costs. The four largest U.S. airlines spent approximately $100 million a day on average on fuel last year—an unsustainable figure if prices continue to rise.
As the market evolves, stakeholders will closely monitor both local and international developments affecting supply and pricing. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how long current price trends will last or if other markets will stabilize.