Rano Air Suspends Flights Amid Soaring Fuel Prices

Rano Air announced a temporary suspension of some flight routes due to a significant rise in aviation fuel prices, which have increased by 300%, making operations financially unsustainable. The airline's statement, released on a Friday, indicated that the persistent rise in fuel costs has placed significant pressure on its operations, necessitating the difficult decision to reduce services.

While specific routes affected by the suspension were not disclosed, Rano Air assured passengers with existing bookings on these routes that support would be provided, including refunds and rescheduling options. The airline expressed optimism about resuming suspended routes once operational conditions improve and become commercially viable.

This development underscores the growing financial challenges faced by Nigerian airlines, as the price of Jet A1 fuel has reportedly risen to N900 per liter from N3,300, despite government intervention. Industry experts noted that aviation fuel remains the largest operational expense for airlines in Nigeria, accounting for nearly 40% of operational costs, significantly above the global average.