Nigerian Airline Operators Suspend Shutdown Amid Fuel Crisis

Airline operators in Nigeria have temporarily suspended a planned shutdown originally scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, due to the astronomical rise in aviation fuel prices. This decision follows an emergency meeting held on Friday, where the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened after the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had announced their intention to shut down operations.

The AON had accused the market of extorting them, with jet A1 fuel prices rising by 300%, from N900 to N3100 per liter. The operators agreed to shelve their shutdown plans to allow for dialogue aimed at finding a resolution to the crisis.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, where stakeholders will engage in discussions to seek a win-win solution. The AON emphasized that the suspension of the shutdown is conditional upon the outcome of this meeting and urged relevant government agencies to provide continued services without undue harassment.