Reporting by **The Nation** indicates that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have officially suspended their planned nationwide flight shutdown, which was originally slated to begin this coming Monday. The decision to call off the strike followed a high-stakes intervention by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, who appealed for more time to address the astronomical rise in aviation fuel (Jet A1) prices.
The crisis reached a breaking point this week as fuel prices reportedly surged from N900 to N3,300 per litre. While the strike is on hold, the AON has set strict conditions for the government, demanding an immediate end to “upfront payment” requirements by service providers and a freeze on further harassment from regulatory agencies. The operators emphasize that current airfares are becoming unsustainable given the operating costs.
**Premium Times** validated the truce, stating that “AON agreed to temporarily suspend the planned shutdown following government appeals.” Additionally, **Channels TV** noted that “the Minister promised a permanent solution to the Jet A1 supply chain bottlenecks to prevent future disruptions.”
**Echotitbits take:** Averted for now, but the aviation sector is still on life support. If the government doesn’t find a way to stabilize jet fuel costs—possibly through the Dangote Refinery’s domestic supply—the “temporary” suspension will likely collapse by next month.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/govt-urges-airlines-to-halt-shutdown-over-fuel-crisis/, April 18, 2026
Photo credit: The Punch
