Nigerian airline operators have temporarily suspended their planned nationwide shutdown of flight operations following intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was announced by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) after an emergency meeting, where members agreed to halt the strike initially scheduled to begin on April 20, 2026.
The planned shutdown had been triggered by the sharp rise in aviation fuel (Jet A1) prices, which airlines said surged from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300, an increase of over 300 percent. Operators described the hike as “astronomical and arbitrary,” warning that it had made operations unsustainable.
However, following an appeal from Keyamo urging restraint and dialogue, the airlines agreed to suspend the action “temporarily” to allow room for negotiations with the federal government.
In a communiqué, the AON said the suspension is conditional and will depend on the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the minister on April 22, where stakeholders are expected to discuss possible solutions to the fuel crisis.
The operators also called on government agencies and service providers to continue supporting airline operations and avoid actions such as demanding upfront payments, which they say worsen the situation.
The temporary suspension brings relief to passengers who would have faced major travel disruptions, but the airlines warned that further action could still be taken if no lasting solution is reached.
