The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has expressed growing concern over the increasing fatigue levels of its members, driven by the escalating cost of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) in the country.
NAAPE’s National President, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, warning that the ongoing aviation fuel crisis is posing a serious threat to flight safety.
Gindeh pointed out that the shortage and high cost of aviation fuel were stretching crew duty hours and pushing fatigue levels to dangerous heights, while also compounding the financial stress of delayed salaries.
“NAAPE’s primary concern is the physical and mental well-being of our members,” Gindeh said, emphasizing the impact of the fuel crisis on the airline workforce. He explained that frequent flight delays and disrupted schedules were forcing pilots and engineers to extend their duty times beyond planned limits, exacerbating fatigue.
“This fatigue impairs cognitive function and erodes situational awareness—critical tools for any pilot or engineer. When crews are forced to work under these conditions, the safety of every passenger is at measurable risk,” he added.
Gindeh also highlighted the economic strain of the fuel crisis, noting that many pilots and engineers were facing wage reductions and delayed payments due to the mounting challenges faced by airlines. “A workforce operating under financial stress is a distracted workforce,” he said.
Further, Gindeh expressed concern over the recent decision by Rano Air to reduce its operational routes due to the fuel crisis, warning that further route suspensions, carrier shutdowns, and job losses were imminent unless urgent action was taken.
He called on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to take immediate steps to resolve the ongoing Jet A1 supply crisis.
“We urge the Federal Government, NCAA, NMDPRA, fuel suppliers, and all relevant stakeholders to treat the resolution of this fuel supply crisis as an urgent national priority. Aviation safety is non-negotiable,” Gindeh stressed.
Freedomonline reports that the price of aviation fuel has surged from about N900 per litre in February to N3,300 per litre in April, resulting in widespread flight disruptions.
