LA SUITE APRÈS LA PUBLICITÉ

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers – NAAPE has raised a significant alarm regarding the safety of Nigeria’s airspace as the persistent scarcity and skyrocketing cost of Jet A1 fuel take a toll on the workforce.

National President Capt. Bunmi Gindeh stated on Sunday that the aviation fuel crisis has evolved into a direct threat to flight safety, citing that the price surge from ₦900 per liter in February to ₦3,300 in April has caused widespread operational chaos.

These disruptions are forcing pilots and engineers to work well beyond their planned schedules, leading to dangerous levels of physical and mental exhaustion.

According to NAAPE, the primary concern lies in the elevated fatigue levels that stem from constantly shifting flight schedules and extended duty times. Capt. Gindeh emphasized that fatigue severely impairs cognitive function and erodes situational awareness, which are the most critical tools for aviation professionals.

When crew members are compelled to operate under these strenuous conditions, the safety of every passenger is placed at a measurable risk. The association maintains that the physical well-being of the crew is a non-negotiable component of a secure aviation industry.

Beyond the physical toll, the economic strain of the fuel crisis is creating a secondary crisis of financial instability for aviation workers. Many pilots and engineers are currently facing wage reductions and delayed payments as airlines struggle to stay afloat.

Gindeh noted that a workforce operating under such intense financial stress becomes a distracted workforce, further compromising the precision required in aircraft maintenance and flight operations. The recent decision by Rano Air to reduce operational routes is seen as a troubling sign of a potential industry-wide collapse.

In light of these developments, NAAPE is calling for immediate intervention from the Federal Government and regulatory bodies such as the NCAA and NMDPRA. Capt. Gindeh urged stakeholders to treat the Jet A1 supply crisis as a matter of urgent national priority to prevent further route suspensions, job losses, and carrier shutdowns.

The association stresses that without swift action to stabilize fuel prices and protect the welfare of aviation professionals, the consequences for national connectivity, trade, and tourism will be severe.