Aviation fuel price hike threatens 2026 Hajj airlift – stakeholders warn

By Musa Baba Adamu

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation sector have raised alarm over the rising cost of aviation fuel, warning that the 2026 Hajj airlift may face serious disruption without urgent government intervention.

Speaking under the aegis of Concerned Aviation Stakeholders (CAS), in a statement, the operators called on federal and state governments to act swiftly to address the spike in Jet A1 prices, which they say is putting immense pressure on airlines contracted for the pilgrimage.

President of the group, Bukalti Usaman Gamawa, said in a statement on Sunday that the situation poses a significant threat to the successful transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

He said: “Many of the airlines contracted for the 2026 Hajj operations are expected to lease aircraft to meet capacity demands. With the current fuel price increase on both legs, much of their projected profit margin has already been wiped out.”

He warned that some airlines could be forced to operate at a loss. “In some cases, airlines may end up operating at break-even or even at a loss, effectively flying ‘for free’ after covering lease and operational expenses. If urgent action is not taken, some airlines may find it financially impossible to even commence operations from Nigeria or sustain return operations from Saudi Arabia.”

Gamawa noted that although government subsidies for Hajj operations have been removed, stakeholders believe emergency measures such as pricing regulation, foreign exchange support, or strategic fuel supply arrangements are necessary to prevent a breakdown of the exercise.

He cautioned that failure to act could result in either unprecedented fare increases or outright operational failure.

“In simple terms, the soaring cost of Jet A1 on both the Nigerian and Saudi sides is the clearest reason why Hajj fares are expected to rise sharply in 2026.

“When Hajj contracts were negotiated and signed, Jet A1 was selling at approximately N1,000 per litre in Nigeria, while the average price on the Saudi side was around $0.68 per litre. Airlines structured their fares, logistics, and operational plans around these benchmarks. Today, however, the situation has changed dramatically.”

According to him, fuel prices have surged to as much as N3,000 per litre across major departure cities, representing a 200 per cent increase.

“This sharp rise has placed airlines in a difficult financial position. If they are forced to absorb the increased fuel cost, many may be operating at a loss. If pilgrims are made to absorb it, Hajj fares will rise sharply.”

Gamawa further illustrated the impact on operations, noting that a single flight consuming about 70,000 litres of fuel now costs significantly more than initial projections.

“Additional burden: N105 million per flight… At N2,800 per litre… fuel cost = N196 million. Additional burden: N126 million per flight. This means the financial strain on airlines remains enormous,” he stated.

He also highlighted the challenge of return flights, stressing that rising fuel costs in Saudi Arabia have compounded the problem.

“Even if the Nigerian government or local suppliers stabilize Jet A1 prices for the first leg… the return flight… remains a major unresolved challenge.”

“The price of Jet A1 on the Saudi side has reportedly risen… to approximately $1.40 per litre… creating a double burden… Unlike Nigeria, where intervention may come through policy… airlines lifting pilgrims back home from Jeddah must buy fuel at prevailing international market rates in foreign currency.”

The stakeholders urged coordinated action among government, regulators, airlines and fuel marketers to avert a crisis that could significantly affect the affordability and smooth execution of the 2026 Hajj.