President Bola Tinubu has approved a 30% debt relief package for domestic airlines to ease their mounting operational burdens.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the directive on Thursday night, April 23, 2026, noting that the approval was formally conveyed through the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Relief Details
The intervention is designed as a direct response to the escalating Jet A1 (aviation fuel) crisis, which has seen prices soar by over 300%, pushing many local carriers to the brink of shutdown.
- Scope of Relief: The 30% discount applies to outstanding statutory debts and accumulated fees owed to key aviation agencies.
- Covered Charges: This includes parking and landing fees owed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational charges owed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other regulatory levies from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
- Committee Review: In addition to the debt cut, the President has approved a committee to review existing taxes and charges on domestic air tickets to provide further relief for both operators and passengers.
Industry Reaction
While the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), led by Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema, had initially advocated for a total debt waiver, the 30% reduction is being seen as a crucial lifeline. Before this announcement, several airlines had threatened to suspend operations starting April 20 due to unsustainable costs.
The move is expected to stabilize flight schedules and prevent a massive hike in airfares during the 2026 travel season.
