The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised concerns over increased fatigue levels among its members amid the scarcity and rising cost of aviation fuel. 

The National President of NAAPE, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh raised the concern in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

He said the persistent scarcity of aviation fuel, otherwise known as Jet A1, had become a threat to flight safety.

Mr Gindeh said that the fuel scarcity was stretching crew duty times, elevating fatigue levels, and distracting a workforce struggling with delayed salaries.

According to him, NAAPE’s primary concern centres on the physical and mental well-being of its members.

He said that as flights were being delayed and schedules disrupted, pilots and engineers were frequently forced to extend their duty times beyond planned parameters.

“This translates directly into elevated fatigue levels. Fatigue impairs cognitive function and erodes situational awareness, a pilot’s or an engineer’s most essential tool.

“The safety of every passenger is placed at measurable risk when crew members are compelled to operate under these conditions,” he said.

Mr Gindeh added that the economic strain of the fuel crisis on airlines was affecting pilots and engineers through wage reductions and delayed payments.

“A workforce operating under financial stress is a distracted workforce,” he added.

Mr Gindeh expressed concern over Rano Air’s recent decision to reduce its operational routes.

He urged immediate intervention in the Jet A1 crisis to avoid further route suspensions, carrier shutdowns, job losses, and consequences for trade, tourism, and national connectivity.

He called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to take action to stabilise the aviation fuel supply.

“We hereby call on the Federal Government, NCAA, NMDPRA, fuel suppliers and all relevant stakeholders to treat the resolution of this Jet A1 supply crisis as a matter of urgent national priority.

“Aviation safety is non-negotiable,” Mr Gindeh said. 

(NAN)