The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has temporarily suspended its planned nationwide shutdown of flight operations, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026.
This decision follows an appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
According to a communique issued by AON after an emergency meeting of its Executive Council and Board of Trustees on Friday, April 17, the suspension is temporary and intended to allow for dialogue during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to be convened by the Minister on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
It would be recalled that domestic airline operators had threatened to ground operations due to a 300 per cent surge in the price of Jet A1 (Aviation Fuel), which reportedly jumped from ₦900 per liter in February to ₦3,300 per liter by mid-April.
In a letter issued on Thursday, April 16, the Aviation Minister appealed to members of AON to suspend their planned shutdown and also exercise restraint in adjusting air fares, pointing out that both actions would impose significant hardship on the traveling public, affect the national economy and disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks.
Keyamo also commended the operators for their resilience and commitment to sustaining air transport services under difficult conditions and assured them that the Federal Government is taking immediate steps to address the fuel price hike.
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The minister disclosed that a meeting of stakeholders would be convened where all issues would be address to find a sustainable solution to the current crisis.
While announcing suspension of their planned shutdown, the AON urged the government to ensure that aviation agencies and service providers desist from “undue harassment” or demanding upfront payments while negotiations are ongoing.
“Rising from an emergency meeting held this evening, the AON has reached a concessionary but conditional decision to temporarily suspend its earlier planned shutdown action scheduled to take effect on Monday April 20, 2026,” part of the AON statement reads.
The upcoming meeting on April 22 will bring together members of AON, major energy marketers, and regulatory bodies to find a solution to the problem.
For now, flight operations across the country will continue as normal.
The outcome of Wednesday’s meeting will likely determine whether the shutdown is permanently cancelled or if the operators will revisit their plan to withdraw services.
“Furthermore, 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 through the office of the Minister and will therefore be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22, 2026, to determine any further decision,” AON further stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X