By Abubakar Yunusa
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have temporarily suspended their planned shutdown after an intervention by Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development.
On April 15, Nigerian airlines threatened to suspend operations from April 20 over the rising cost of aviation fuel, also known as Jet A1.
The domestic airlines claimed the price of Jet A1 has increased from N900 per litre as of February 28 to N3,300 per litre — representing a rise of over 300 percent.
Although the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) countered their claim, saying its nationwide survey shows retail prices currently range between N1,960 and N2,800 per litre.
Three days after the airlines threatened, Keyamo asked AON to reconsider the planned suspension.
Following Keyamo’s appeal, the airlines held an emergency meeting on Friday, where the group resolved to temporarily suspend the planned shutdown of operations.
In a communique signed by the AON executive council and board of trustees, the airline operators said the decision was reached after the association received a letter of appeal from Keyamo, calling for a stay of action.
“Rising from an emergency meeting held this evening, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has reached a concessionary but conditional decision to temporarily suspend its earlier planned shutdown action scheduled to take effect on Monday Aprıi 20, 2026,” the airline operators said.
“The decision was reached following robust deliberations by members of the Executive Council (Exco) and Trustees in consideration of an intervention the Association received through a letter of appeal from the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo calling for a stay of action.”
The association said Keyamo acknowledged their challenges and appealed for restraint in light of the aviation fuel crisis, adding that the minister appreciated their commitment to sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.
“Hę added that the concerns raised by airlines have received the full attention of the Federal Government and that immediate steps will be taken to address the issues,” the group said.
According to AON, the association will meet with Keyamo on April 22 to find a solution to the situation.
The airline operators said the outcome of the meeting will determine further actions.
“In consideration of the appeals and efforts by the Honourable Minister to wade into the matter and get to the bottom of the issues surrounding the astronomical and arbitrary increase in the price of JetA1, the Exco would like to state unequivocally that the planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday April 20, 2026 is hereby called off albeit temporarily pending the outcome of the meeting called by the Minister scheduled to take place on Wednesday April 22, 2026 to allow for dialogue with a view to possibly finding a lasting and win-win solution for all parties concerned,” the group said.
As a precondition for the suspension, the airlines called on the minister to urge the various government agencies and industry service providers to continue to provide services to airlines, desist from undue harassment, and stop demanding upfront payment for services rendered.
Also, the AON said the outcome of the meeting will determine further actions
On April 17, NMDPRA said Nigeria has a 74-day aviation fuel supply.
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