Minister urges AON to halt operations shutdown, summons emergency meeting

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to rescind their planned nationwide shutdown of operations scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026.

The Minister’s intervention follows a final appeal issued by domestic airlines, who cited an unbearable and unsustainable300% increase in the price of aviation fuel (Jet A1) within just two months.

The operators stated that Jet A1 prices jumped from N900/litre on February 28 to N3,300/litre by mid-April. They noted this hike is disproportionate to global crude oil price benchmarks, which rose by only about 30% in the same period.

 In a letter dated April 16, 2026, Keyamo commended the operators for their resilience and patriotism in maintaining services despite the financial strain. He urged them to hold off on the shutdown and avoid further airfare hikes.

To avert the crisis, the Federal Government has summoned an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving the airlines, fuel marketers, and regulatory bodies to find a lasting solution to the pricing volatility

According to the Minister, “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, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport for a broad segment of Nigerians.

“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.

Keyamo reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance, adding that in line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration.

 The AON warned that current airline revenue is no longer sufficient to cover fuel costs alone, which now account for over 40% of operational expenses.

 The operators highlighted that if they were to adjust ticket prices to reflect the actual cost of fuel, passenger loads would plummet, whereas a full shutdown would threaten national security, jobs, and the stability of financial institutions with exposure to the aviation sector.

Wole Shadare