Airline Operators Suspend Shutdown Amid Fuel Cost Crisis

Airline Operators of Nigeria announced the temporary suspension of a planned nationwide shutdown that was scheduled for April 20, 2026. This decision was communicated in a release following an emergency meeting held on a Friday.

The operators described the suspension as a concessionary decision, emphasizing that it is temporary and dependent on the outcome of a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Keyamo, scheduled for April 22, 2026. The operators had previously threatened the shutdown due to the exorbitant rise in aviation fuel costs, which increased from N900 per liter in February to N3,300 per liter.

They warned that this situation places severe strain on airline operations. Keyamo had earlier appealed to the operators to refrain from increasing fares and to engage in dialogue instead.

The operators expressed their patience but made it clear that their demands for government support and service provision must be met.