Airline Operators Suspend Planned Shutdown as FG Moves to Avert Nationwide Flight Crisis

Airline Operators Suspend Planned Shutdown as FG Moves to Avert Nationwide Flight Crisis
By Donblaze Media News Desk
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has temporarily suspended its planned nationwide shutdown of flight operations following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.
The decision came after an emergency meeting of the association’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees on Friday evening, where members reviewed the minister’s appeal and agreed to allow room for dialogue.
The shutdown, initially scheduled to commence on Monday, April 20, 2026, was expected to cripple domestic air travel across the country.
Airline operators had earlier threatened to halt operations over the astronomical rise in the cost of aviation fuel, popularly known as Jet A1, accusing fuel marketers of exploitative pricing.
According to the association, the price of Jet A1 has surged by more than 300 per cent, rising from ₦900 to ₦3,100 per litre, a development operators described as unbearable and unsustainable.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, AON announced that the planned industrial action had been suspended temporarily pending the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the minister.
“The planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, is hereby called off, albeit temporarily, pending the outcome of the meeting called by the Honourable Minister,” the statement read.
The Federal Government had earlier stepped in to avert what could have become a major disruption to the nation’s aviation sector, with the minister urging all parties to shelve the shutdown and embrace dialogue.
A crucial stakeholders’ meeting has now been fixed for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, where key industry players are expected to address the lingering crisis surrounding the soaring cost of Jet A1.
The operators expressed hope that the meeting would produce a lasting and mutually beneficial resolution to the fuel price dispute.
However, AON made it clear that the suspension remains conditional.
The association called on the minister to ensure that relevant government agencies and industry service providers continue to offer services to airlines without intimidation or undue harassment.
It also strongly condemned the increasing practice of demanding upfront payment for services, warning that the trend is worsening the financial burden on already strained domestic carriers.
“We further request that these agencies halt the practice of demanding upfront payment for services rendered, as this continues to compound the financial burden on operators,” the communiqué added.
While reaffirming its respect for the Federal Government’s intervention, AON stressed that its next line of action will depend on the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.
The temporary suspension offers a brief reprieve for passengers and the aviation sector, as stakeholders race against time to prevent a full-blown flight crisis.