Air travellers across Nigeria are facing fresh disruption as airlines struggle with the shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel, forcing flight delays, cancellations and overnight suspensions.
At Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, dozens of passengers were left stranded after a United Nigeria Airlines flight from Abuja to Benin was repeatedly rescheduled.
Flight UN0572, initially billed to depart at 12:20 p.m., was first delayed to 4:20 p.m. Passengers waited for hours with no clear communication before another announcement shortly before 7:00 p.m. pushed the departure to 7:00 a.m. the following day.
The development left many travellers stranded at the airport overnight, with no arrangements for accommodation or transportation.
One affected passenger, Akporoba Monday Olomu, criticised the airline’s handling of the situation, describing the communication as poor and insensitive.
He said passengers were left without guidance for hours before being told to return the next morning, with no support provided despite the long delay.
The ongoing Jet A1 fuel scarcity has continued to disrupt domestic aviation operations in Nigeria, raising concerns over passenger welfare and airline preparedness during supply shocks.
