Airline operators in Nigeria have suspended their planned nationwide shutdown of flight operations, offering temporary relief to passengers who faced widespread travel disruption.
The decision was announced by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) after an emergency meeting, where the group said it had agreed to halt the action scheduled for 20th April, pending further talks with the Federal Government.
In a communiqué, the operators described the move as 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 statement read.
The AON had earlier threatened to ground domestic flights over the sharp rise in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which it said jumped from about ₦900 per litre in February to around ₦3,300 per litre.
The group described the increase as “astronomical and arbitrary,” warning that it had placed severe strain on airline operations.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had appealed to the airlines to suspend the shutdown and embrace dialogue.
He assured operators that the government was addressing their concerns.
“I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions,” Keyamo said.
“The concerns raised by airlines have received the full attention of the Federal Government and immediate steps will be taken to address the issues.”
While agreeing to suspend the action, the operators said their patience would depend on the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the minister.
“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 added.
The AON also called on government agencies to stop demanding upfront payments and to avoid what it described as undue pressure on airlines during the negotiations.
