Nigeria may soon witness another increase in domestic flight ticket prices as the cost of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, continues to surge across the country.Industry sources say the price of aviation fuel has climbed sharply, with reports indicating that it has now reached about ₦1,835 per litre in parts of the market. The development is placing significant pressure on airline operators already struggling with rising operational costs.

Aviation fuel is the single largest expense for airlines, typically accounting for about 30 to 35 percent of total operating costs. However, with the recent price surge, experts say the share of fuel in airline expenses could rise to 40 to 45 percent, forcing airlines to review ticket pricing.

In recent weeks, the price of Jet A1 fuel increased dramatically from around ₦940 to ₦980 per litre to over ₦1,500 and ₦1,600 per litre, representing more than a 50 percent increase in a short period.

Industry analysts say if the upward trend continues, airlines may have no option but to pass the additional cost to passengers through higher fares. Current estimates suggest that an average domestic ticket price of around ₦150,000 could rise to ₦185,000 or even ₦200,000 in the coming weeks.

The increase in aviation fuel prices has been linked to global oil market volatility and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted energy supply chains and pushed up crude oil prices worldwide.

Aviation experts warn that unless fuel prices stabilise, Nigerian travelers may soon face higher costs for domestic air travel while airlines struggle to maintain operations amid the rising expenses.