Airline operators in Nigeria (AON) have temporarily suspended their planned shutdown over increase in aviation fuel.
- +Airlines suspend planned shutdown of flight operations
The operators noted that while the suspension is temporary, their next line of action depends on the outcome of a meeting with Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, scheduled for Wednesday.
The operators noted that while the suspension is temporary, their next line of action depends on the outcome of a meeting with Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, scheduled for Wednesday.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria announced the decision in a communiqué released late Friday after an emergency meeting.The group stated that its decision as “concessionary but conditional.”
“The Exco would like to state unequivocally that the planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, is hereby called off, albeit temporarily,” the communiqué read.Recalled that few days ago, the AON threatened to shut down operations from Monday, April 20, 2026, over surging aviation fuel price.
The airline operators stated that the price of Jet A1 as sold by marketers has risen significantly from the initial N900/litre as at February 28, 2026, to N3,300/litre as at Wednesday.According the AON, this represents an increase of over 300 percent. While agreeing to suspend the strike, AON made clear that its patience has limits.The association demanded that government agencies and service providers continue to support airlines during negotiations.
It also asked them to stop demanding upfront payments for services.”As a precondition for the suspension, we call on the Honourable Minister to urge the various government agencies and industry service providers to continue to provide services to airlines and desist from undue harassment, as well as to stop demanding upfront payment for services rendered.
“We respect the appeals of the Federal Government… and will therefore be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to determine any further decision,” the communiqué stated.
