There is relief on the horizon for domestic airlines and air travellers as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has officially recommended a new price band for aviation fuel, popularly known as Jet-A1.
After weeks of soaring costs that threatened to ground flights, the regulator has pegged the product at between ₦1,760 and ₦1,988 per litre nationwide. In major aviation hubs like Lagos and Abuja, prices are expected to range between ₦1,809 and ₦2,037 per litre.
The announcement, made in a statement to journalists on Monday, April 27, follows an emergency technical committee meeting convened by the NMDPRA on April 24, 2026, to tackle the persistent surge in aviation fuel costs.
Why This Price Band?
According to the NMDPRA, the recommended pricing framework is based on international market benchmarks, specifically the Platts average prices recorded between April 17 and 23, 2026.
However, the regulator warned that prices could fluctuate beyond the recommended band due to ongoing global uncertainties.
“The indicative prices are based on Platts average prices for the period 17th-23rd April 2026. Products purchased outside this window may be higher due to high volatility in current prices precipitated by the United States and Iran war and varying operational costs by operators,” the statement added.
Direct Supply to Airlines & 30-Day Credit Window
In a move to cut out middlemen and reduce inefficiencies, the NMDPRA recommended that energy marketers sell aviation fuel directly to airline operators.
“NMDPRA should direct marketers to sell directly to the airline operators within this period,” the authority stated.
Even better for struggling carriers, the regulator proposed a flexible payment arrangement: a 30-day credit window for airlines to pay for supplies.
Industry stakeholders have long pushed for such an arrangement, arguing that immediate payment requirements have severely worsened airlines’ cash flow challenges.
More Measures on the Table
The NMDPRA isn’t stopping there. Other key recommendations include:
· Consultative Meeting: The Ministry of Aviation is to convene a meeting between oil marketers and airline operators to resolve outstanding debts.
· Streamlining Airside Distribution: The NMDPRA will work with FAAN and the NCAA to validate airside distributors based on agreed criteria, trimming the number of operators.
· Naira-for-Crude Inclusion: The authority proposed that Aviation Turbine Kerosene be included under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative to cushion the impact of forex volatility.
What This Means for Travellers
The rising cost of Jet-A1 had become a major headache for domestic airlines, many of which warned that the trend threatened their very survival. With this price stabilisation move and the credit window, airlines may be able to breathe a little easier—and hopefully, that will translate into more stable ticket prices for passengers.
We will keep you updated as more details emerge on the implementation of these measures.
Source: Naija News / NMDPRA
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