Rano Air has announced the temporary suspension of some of its flight routes following what it described as an unprecedented rise of more than 300 percent in the cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel.
The airline disclosed this in a statement posted on its X account and signed by management.
According to the carrier, the spike in fuel prices has made operations on certain routes “extremely challenging and commercially unsustainable.”
Although the airline did not officially list the affected destinations, a source familiar with the development said routes such as Maiduguri and Gombe may be among those temporarily suspended.
Rano Air currently operates flights to Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi and Osubi.
The source added that more than half of the airline’s routes could be affected pending a final decision by management.
“Definitely more than 50 per cent of the routes might be suspended temporarily but the management will soon come out with a final statement on the routes,” the source said.
In its statement, the airline said the worsening fuel crisis has placed heavy pressure on operations, forcing it to take what it described as a difficult but necessary decision.
“Rano Air wishes to inform the general public and our valued passengers that, due to the unprecedented escalation in the cost of Jet Al aviation fuel by over 300%, the operational cost of sustaining some of our routes has become extremely challenging and commercially unsustainable.”
“This significant increase in fuel prices has greatly impacted the aviation industry and placed enormous pressure on our flight operations. In view of the current situation, Rano Air has taken the difficult but necessary decision to suspend some of our routes temporarily.”
The airline apologised to passengers and business partners for the inconvenience, assuring customers with existing bookings that refund, rescheduling and rerouting arrangements would be provided.
“Passengers who have already booked flights on the affected routes are advised that Rano Air will assist with all concerns regarding refunds, rescheduling, or rerouting options.”
The company also promised to restore operations once conditions improve and flights become commercially viable again.
The development comes amid ongoing complaints by domestic airlines over the soaring cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria.
Although the federal government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, recently pegged the price of Jet A1 at ₦2,039 per litre in Abuja and slightly lower in Lagos, airlines say fuel prices remain extremely high, with some operators reportedly still purchasing fuel at close to ₦3,000 per litre.
Industry stakeholders have linked the persistent crisis to global oil supply disruptions associated with tensions in the Middle East.