By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian airline operators will meet with the federal government on Wednesday after they temporarily suspended a planned nationwide shutdown of flight operations over crippling jet fuel prices.

The halt in the planned strike came after the federal government appealed to the airliners, pending the talks scheduled for tomorrow.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which is an industry body composed of a dozen mainly domestic carriers, had earlier threatened to halt services from Monday, April 20, saying surging jet fuel costs had ⁠made operations unsustainable.

AON said it agreed to pause the action following an appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, who called for restraint and dialogue.

“Rising from an emergency meeting held this evening, the Airline Operators of Nigeria has reached a concessionary but conditional decision to temporarily suspend its earlier planned shutdown action,” AON said in a statement.

The body said the suspension was conditional pending the outcome ‌of ⁠a meeting for all concerned parties scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, convened by the minister.

As part of their conditions, the airlines urged government agencies and service providers to keep services running and to stop demanding ⁠upfront payments, which they said were adding to their financial strain.

The US-Israel war on Iran has led to rising jet fuel prices, which have equally affected the global aviation industry. The development has ⁠forced airlines to raise fares and curb growth plans.

At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply flows. With shipping constrained, the effects are cascading across the global economy, raising fuel costs, fueling inflation, and increasing the risk of economic slowdown across many economies.

Nigerian airlines say the jet fuel price surge has been worsened ⁠by supply constraints and foreign exchange pressures, significantly increasing operating costs.

Last week, the organisation said it wrote to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) on April 14, complaining that jet fuel prices had risen by about 270 per cent since late February, and accused the country’s fuel marketers of artificially inflating the cost.

Oil prices have dropped below $100 after surging above $115 per barrel as markets react to escalating tensions and the risk of prolonged disruption.

AON called the jet fuel increase in Nigeria “astronomical and artificial,” saying it far outpaced global crude oil prices.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has appealed to domestic airlines under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to refrain from increasing air ticket prices or embarking on the planned suspension of operations.

Recall that yesterday, the airlines said they would halt operations from April 20 following a sharp rise in the cost of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, by 300 per cent.

In a letter dated Thursday, April 16, 2026, addressed to the President of AON, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, urged the operators to exercise restraint despite mounting operational pressures.

The appeal came amid threats by airline operators, in an earlier correspondence to the federal government, to halt flight operations from next Monday over what they described as an unsustainable increase in aviation fuel prices.

Mr Keyamo, who acknowledged the severity of the situation, especially with the price of Jet A1 surging dramatically within a short period, however, called for calm.

“I write in reference to your correspondence dated April 14, 2026, concerning the operational challenges currently confronting your member airlines, especially the sudden hike in Jet A1 fuel from N900 per litre as at February 28, 2026, to N3,300 per litre as at today, representing a three hundred per cent (300%) increase,” he said.

The minister commended airline operators for maintaining services despite the challenges, describing their efforts as critical to the nation’s economy.

He reiterated the strategic importance of the aviation sector to the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stressing its role in national development, and made a direct appeal to operators to avoid passing the burden to passengers.

“First, I urge your members to exercise restraint with respect to any proposed increase in airfares at this time. While the prevailing cost pressures on your operations are fully acknowledged, any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public,” he said.

He also warned against suspending operations, noting the broader implications for the economy and public confidence.

“Secondly, I appeal for the reconsideration of any planned suspension of flight operations. Such action would have far-reaching adverse implications for the national economy, disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under the ongoing reforms within the aviation sector,” he added.

Mr Keyamo assured operators that the federal government was actively working to address the crisis.

“I wish to formally assure you that the concerns raised by your members have received the full attention of the Federal Government and we shall take immediate steps to address the issues,” he said.

As part of efforts to resolve the impasse, the minister disclosed that an emergency meeting had been convened.

“Accordingly, a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and regulatory authorities with a view to achieving a prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution,” he said.

The development came as Nigeria’s aviation sector grapples with rising operational costs, with fuel accounting for a significant portion of airline expenses. Industry stakeholders warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could lead to widespread disruptions in domestic air travel.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), an industry body grouping around a dozen mainly domestic carriers, have announced plans to suspend all flight ​operations from April 20, due to the high cost of jet fuel.

The organisation wrote to the Major Energies Marketers Association ​of Nigeria (MEMAN) on April 14, complaining that jet fuel prices had risen ​by about 270 per cent since late February, and accused the country’s fuel marketers of artificially inflating the cost.

The cost of fuel has generally risen in the last two months due to the escalating war with Iran by the US and Israel, which has triggered one of the most severe energy shocks in decades. Oil prices have surged above $115 per barrel as markets react to escalating tensions and the risk of prolonged disruption.

At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply flows. With shipping constrained, the effects are cascading across the global economy, raising fuel costs, fueling inflation, and increasing the risk of economic slowdown across many economies.

AON called the jet ​fuel increase in Nigeria “astronomical and artificial,” saying it far outpaced global crude oil prices.

The airline’s body said the hike situation has now become unbearable and clearly unsustainable.

“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily. The situation continues to deteriorate.

“The actions of fuel marketers are effectively decimating the aviation industry and putting the nation’s economy, safety, and security at risk, as airlines are gradually being forced to suspend operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this arbitrary increase has already severely impacted one airline, forcing it to ground all operations since March 13, 2026. This may become inevitable for other airlines if the situation does not change immediately.

“Aviation remains a sector of strategic national importance. The continued arbitrary rise in jet fuel prices is both unhealthy and detrimental to national well-being. Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy.

“If ticket prices are adjusted to reflect the current cost of aviation fuel, flights will operate with low passenger loads. Conversely, if airlines cease operations, financial institutions will be impacted, millions of livelihoods will be lost, and insecurity may increase.

“We therefore urge you to prevail on marketers to proportionately adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current exorbitant rates,” the letter read.