Nigerian airline operators suspend planned nationwide shutdown
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Airline operators in Nigeria have temporarily suspended their planned nationwide shutdown, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026. This decision, announced by the Airline Operators of Nigeria AON in a communiqu茅, offers relief to thousands of passengers. The operators described their decision as "concessionary but conditional," stating that their next steps depend on the outcome of a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, set for Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The AON had threatened the shutdown due to the escalating cost of JetA1 aviation fuel, which they reported increased from N900 per liter in February to N3,300 per liter, calling this rise "astronomical and arbitrary." Minister Keyamo had previously appealed to the operators to engage in dialogue instead of proceeding with the shutdown or increasing fares, acknowledging the challenging conditions faced by airlines. As a condition for the suspension, AON requested that government agencies and service providers continue supporting airlines during negotiations, cease undue harassment, and stop demanding upfront payments for services.
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