ABUJA, April 20 – Nigerian airlines have suspended a planned nationwide shutdown of operations following an intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which represents about a dozen mostly domestic carriers, had earlier warned it would halt flights from April 20, citing rising jet fuel prices that have made operations increasingly difficult.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting, the group said it agreed to a temporary suspension of the action after the minister called for dialogue. The decision is conditional and will depend on the outcome of a meeting scheduled for April 22 involving all stakeholders.
As part of the conditions attached to the suspension, the airlines asked government agencies and service providers to continue operations without disruption. They also called for an end to upfront payment demands, which they said are adding to financial pressure on operators.
Jet fuel costs have risen sharply, driven in part by global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions with carriers saying that the impact has been compounded by foreign exchange constraints and limited local supply, pushing operating expenses higher.
Fuel accounts for more than one-third of total airline costs in Nigeria, making it a key factor in pricing and route decisions and the increase has already led to higher ticket fares and adjustments to flight schedules across the industry.
The outcome of the upcoming talks is expected to determine the next steps for airline operations.
