The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has expressed ‘surprise’ over the N3,300 per litre aviation fuel price cited by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) in its recent threat to ground operations.

While MEMAN noted that anti-competition laws prevent members from collective price-fixing, the association stressed that the N3,300 figure is over N1,000 higher than its current average market survey for Jet A1.

In a direct challenge to the AON’s claims, MEMAN encouraged airline operators currently facing such high rates to exercise their commercial rights by seeking alternative suppliers.

The association maintained that its internal market data confirms more competitively priced options are available, reaffirming its members’ commitment to providing Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) at fair, market-reflective rates.

This clarification is coming less than 24 hours after the AON threatened to ground all domestic flight operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. The operators’ body, in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and top aviation regulators, claimed fuel prices had spiralled from N900 in February to an “unsustainable” N3,300 this week.

However, in a statement by Clement Isong, Executive Secretary / CEO MEMAN, he stated that the association has also received indications of falling costs, which should begin to reflect in market prices in the coming weeks.

Isong also encourage AON members to adopt a more sustainable pricing approach by moving away from spot pricing and entering into longer-term contractual arrangements with their suppliers.

He said the sharp increase in Jet Al prices has placed significant pressure on airline operations, adding that the association fully understands the serious implications this has on the sustainability of the aviation sector and the broader economy.

“The challenge is that the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have severely disrupted global supply chains and significantly affected the pricing and availability of middle distillate products such as diesel and Jet A1. Transport costs within the country have therefore gone up by an average of 50 percent.

“It is also important to note that the transportation and distribution of ATK is governed by specific protocols for quality assurance and safety reasons, which are more stringent than those applicable to most other petroleum products. Dedicated equipment, specialised handling procedures, and rigorous quality checks at every stage of the supply chain are non-negotiable requirements.

“These necessary safeguards inherently make the logistics and distribution of ATK a more cost-intensive undertaking compared to other petroleum products. We want this context to be clearly understood as part of any assessment of pricing in the sector,” Isong said.

He assured that reducing the cost burden of petroleum product distribution is a matter of active and ongoing attention within its association.

“Steps to improve safety and simultaneously reduce logistics, delivery, and operational costs across the downstream value chain are continually being discussed, shared, and implemented between MEMAN members and the MEMAN Secretariat through regular webinars, training programmes, and industry engagements.

“It is a core part of our mandate to share these best practices broadly with the downstream industry so that distribution costs are minimised to the greatest extent possible, without compromising on safety or quality standards,” the MEMAN CEO said.

He assured that it is actively engaged with the relevant regulatory authorities on the matter.

“Following due consultations, we have formally communicated several practical suggestions and recommendations aimed at mitigating the impact on the aviation sector and the wider economy.” (BusinessDay)