Nigeria: Aviation fuel price may force airlines to fly from Ghana

Experts in the aviation sector say increase in the price of aviation fuel from N105 to N220 per litre in Nigeria may soon cause airlines operating in the country to move to Ghana where aviation fuel is sold for N110 per litre. Two days ago, Emirates airline for the first time flew to Ghana to buy fuel for its Abuja flight. A source said that British Airways also buys fuel from Ghana. The source said more airlines will soon leave for Ghana to buy fuel since it is cheaper to buy from the country. Similarly, Air France last week announced that from 2017, the airline will commence three weekly flights to Accra in Ghana from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. These flights will be operated by Airbus A330 with a capacity of 208 seats until 27 March 2017, then by Boeing 777-200 with 312 seats. “The aviation fuel cartel causing a 100% increase in fuel price has forced Emirates airlines to go to Accra to buy fuel. This is making Nigeria lose businesses and revenues,” Nogie Meggison, president, Airline Operators of Nigeria, said.<br/>