DOMESTIC airline operators in the country, under the aegis Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), have shelved their planned nationwide shutdown, opting instead to pursue dialogue, following government intervention.
At an emergency meeting of the association’s leadership on Friday, April 17, members considered an appeal by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urging restraint and engagement with stakeholders.
The association had earlier planned to suspend operations from Monday, April 20, over rising cost of Jet A1 fuel, which they said had jumped from about N900 to over N3,000 per litre, thereby putting significant strain on their operations.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, AON said it would temporarily put the action on hold to allow for discussions, saying: “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.”
It explained that the decision was taken in good faith to create room for negotiations, with a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, warning, however, that the suspension depends on improved conditions within the industry.
The members were worried by mounting operational challenges, including pressure from service providers demanding upfront payments, noting: “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 association urged the relevant authorities to ensure that airlines are not subjected to disruptions or undue pressure while talks are ongoing, insisting that its next move will depend on the outcome of the negotiations.
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