Nigeria Government Urges Airlines to Avoid Fare Hikes Amid Fuel Price Surge

Chinese-language coverage focuses on how the fuel surge is already causing large-scale flight disruptions in Asia, using Air Macau as a key example. Reports say Air Macau has cancelled hundreds of flights because higher fuel costs have made some services uneconomic. Commentators link Nigeria’s talks with airlines to a broader pattern of carriers in different regions struggling to keep routes running without steep fare increases.

• •Chinese reports state that Air Macau has cancelled about 400 flights due to the fuel price surge.
• •Coverage in the region links fuel-driven cancellations in Macau to similar cost pressures on airlines elsewhere.
• •Commentators in Chinese outlets warn that more Asian carriers may cut flights if fuel prices stay high.
• •Reports suggest that some airlines in the region are considering passing more of the fuel cost directly to passengers.
• •Chinese coverage notes that governments, including Nigeria’s, are being pushed to ease taxes or fees to help airlines cope.

African coverage of Nigeria stresses the government’s effort to shield passengers from sudden fare hikes while keeping airlines flying. Reports present Festus Keyamo as pressing airlines for restraint on prices and cancellations, while promising that Abuja will tackle fuel costs and aviation charges. Commentators warn that if the Federal Government does not quickly ease taxes or negotiate cheaper fuel, smaller Nigerian carriers could collapse or suspend key domestic routes.