Airline operators suspend planned shutdown temporarily after govt intervention

Nigeria’s aviation sector stepped back from the brink of disruption on Friday after airline operators agreed to suspend a planned shutdown of flight operations, following an appeal by the Federal Government.

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The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said it would temporarily halt the action scheduled for 20 April after what it described as a “concessionary but conditional” decision reached during an emergency meeting of its leadership.

The development comes after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urged airlines not to increase airfares or suspend operations despite the worsening aviation fuel crisis.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the minister, in a letter dated 16 April, appealed for restraint, warning that both fare hikes and operational shutdowns could deepen hardship for Nigerians and disrupt economic activities.

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“Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence,” Mr Keyamo said.

Airlines, under the AON, had earlier warned that they could down tools over the sharp rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which they said had surged to about N3,300 per litre from around N900 in February.

Responding to the minister’s appeal, the operators said they would give room for dialogue but insisted that their decision remains temporary, pending the outcome of a high-level stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for 22 April in Abuja.

The meeting, convened by the minister, is expected to bring together key players in the aviation value chain to find a “practical and sustainable solution” to the crisis.

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While acknowledging the government’s intervention, the AON said the suspension of the shutdown comes with conditions, including a call on authorities to address operational bottlenecks affecting airlines.

The group urged the minister to ensure that government agencies and service providers continue to support airline operations without “undue harassment” and to halt demands for upfront payments for services.

However, fuel remains the single largest cost component for airlines, often accounting for up to 30–40 per cent of total operating expenses, making operators highly vulnerable to price shocks.

In Nigeria, the situation is compounded by reliance on imported refined products, forex volatility, and supply chain challenges, which continue to keep aviation fuel prices elevated.

Although the immediate threat of a shutdown has been averted, the outcome of next week’s meeting is expected to determine whether airlines can sustain operations without further disruptions.