The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has sounded an alarm over the rising physical and mental exhaustion of its members, citing the persistent scarcity and skyrocketing cost of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) as a primary trigger.

In a statement on Sunday, NAAPE National President Capt. Bunmi Gindeh warned that the current fuel crisis has evolved into a direct threat to flight safety across the country.

According to Gindeh, the volatility of fuel supplies has thrown flight schedules into chaos, forcing pilots and engineers to work well beyond their regulated duty hours.

Gindeh emphasised that extended duty times lead to significant fatigue, which weakens cognitive function and situational awareness, the most critical tools for aviation professionals.

He noted that the safety of the flying public is being put at “measurable risk” when crew members are forced to operate under such strenuous conditions.

Financial Stress and Distraction
Beyond operational hurdles, the economic fallout of the fuel crisis is hitting the workforce directly.

Gindeh highlighted that many airlines, struggling with high overheads, have resorted to wage reductions and delayed salary payments.

“A workforce operating under financial stress is a distracted workforce,” Gindeh stated, pointing out that pilots and engineers should not have to worry about personal finances while managing high-stakes aviation tasks.

The President expressed particular concern over Rano Air’s recent move to scale back operational routes, viewing it as a symptom of a larger industry collapse. Without immediate intervention, he warned of: Further route suspensions and potential airline shutdowns, Mass job losses within the aviation sector, Severe setbacks for national trade, tourism, and connectivity.

NAAPE urged the Federal Government and key regulatory bodies; including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to treat the Jet A1 crisis as an urgent national priority.

“Aviation safety is non-negotiable,” Gindeh concluded, calling on all stakeholders to stabilize the fuel supply chain before the situation worsens.