Airline Operators Halt Planned Flight Shutdown

According to Ireporter Online, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced the temporary suspension of its planned nationwide flight shutdown following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the association’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees held on Friday evening, where members agreed to suspend the proposed industrial action to allow room for further dialogue aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute over the sharp increase in Jet A1 aviation fuel prices.

The planned shutdown, earlier scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, has now been put on hold pending the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Minister for Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The AON stated that the engagement is expected to produce a “lasting and win-win solution” to the challenges facing the aviation sector.

However, the association emphasized that the suspension is conditional, urging relevant government agencies and service providers to maintain uninterrupted services to airlines and desist from what it described as undue harassment of operators. It also called for an end to the practice of demanding upfront payments for services, noting that such measures are worsening the financial strain on airlines.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s intervention, the AON stressed that its decision remains temporary and will be reviewed after the scheduled meeting.

“We respect the appeals of the Federal Government through the office of the Honourable Minister and will therefore be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to determine any further decision,” the association stated.