The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised concerns over rising fatigue levels among pilots and aircraft engineers due to the persistent aviation fuel crisis in Nigeria.
The association warned that the continued increase in the cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel is already disrupting flight operations and placing aviation safety at risk.
President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, made the concerns known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.
He explained that the fuel shortage and rising prices have forced airlines to adjust schedules, leading to longer working hours for flight crews and maintenance engineers.
According to him, many pilots and engineers are now being pushed beyond normal duty limits due to repeated delays and operational disruptions.
“This translates directly into elevated fatigue levels. Fatigue impairs cognitive function and erodes situational awareness, a pilot or an engineer’s most essential tool,” Gindeh said.
He warned that such conditions could compromise flight safety, stressing that the well-being of aviation workers is directly linked to passenger safety.
“The safety of every passenger is placed at measurable risk when crew members are compelled to operate under these conditions,” he added.
Gindeh further noted that the financial strain facing airlines as a result of high fuel costs is also affecting aviation workers, leading to delayed salaries and reduced income in some cases.
“A workforce operating under financial stress is a distracted workforce,” he said.
The NAAPE president also expressed concern over recent operational cutbacks by some airlines, including route reductions, warning that such trends could worsen if the fuel crisis persists.
He specifically referenced Rano Air’s decision to scale down operations, describing it as a sign of growing pressure within the aviation sector.
Gindeh called for urgent intervention from relevant authorities, urging the Federal Government and key regulatory agencies to address the situation as a matter of national priority.
He appealed to the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, as well as fuel suppliers, to take immediate action to stabilize Jet A1 supply.
“We hereby call on the Federal Government, NCAA, NMDPRA, fuel suppliers and all relevant stakeholders to treat the resolution of this Jet A1 supply crisis as a matter of urgent national priority,” he said.
“Aviation safety is non-negotiable,” he added.
Aviation fuel prices have surged sharply in recent months, rising from about N900 per litre in February to around N3,300 per litre in April, a development that has contributed to flight delays and disruptions across the country.
Industry stakeholders have continued to warn that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could lead to more route suspensions, job losses and wider economic consequences affecting trade, tourism and national connectivity.
