President Bola Tinubu has approved a series of relief measures aimed at easing the financial strain on airline operators following the sharp increase in Jet A1 fuel prices.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development on Wednesday after a high-level meeting with stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, airline operators, and oil marketers. The meeting was convened to address growing concerns over the escalating cost of aviation fuel, which industry players have described as unsustainable.

According to the minister, the President has granted a discount on certain outstanding financial obligations owed by airlines to the Federal Government. The intervention, he said, is designed to provide immediate relief to operators and avert potential disruptions to air transport services across the country.

Keyamo also revealed that plans are underway to establish a special committee tasked with reviewing and rationalising the multiple taxes and levies currently embedded in airfares. The proposed reforms are expected to reduce operational costs for airlines while also easing the burden on passengers.

He noted that the government’s actions are part of broader efforts to stabilise the aviation sector and ensure its long-term sustainability.

The intervention comes amid mounting tension within the industry, as airline operators continue to grapple with soaring fuel prices, widely regarded as a critical threat to operational viability and the stability of Nigeria’s aviation sector.