April 18, 2026
SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
Nigerian domestic airlines have suspended their planned nationwide shutdown but warned that the action could resume if urgent steps are not taken to address the ongoing aviation fuel crisis.
The decision was announced by the (AON) after an emergency meeting, just days after operators threatened to halt flights starting April 20 due to the sharp rise in the cost of Jet A1 fuel.
Airlines had earlier raised alarm that the price of aviation fuel surged from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300 per litre, a spike they described as unsustainable and capable of crippling the industry. However, the (NMDPRA) disputed the figures, stating that its findings showed prices ranging between ₦1,960 and ₦2,800 per litre nationwide.
The crisis prompted intervention from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, , who appealed to airline operators to suspend the planned shutdown and allow room for dialogue with the Federal Government.
Following the appeal, AON confirmed that it had agreed to temporarily shelve the shutdown after receiving formal communication from the minister, assuring that government was actively engaging the issue.
Despite the temporary relief, the airlines made it clear that the suspension is conditional and depends on the outcome of a crucial meeting scheduled for April 22 between operators and the government.
They also called for an end to what they described as harassment by regulatory agencies, urging authorities and service providers to halt demands for upfront payments and ensure uninterrupted support services during the negotiation period.
The situation highlights mounting pressure within Nigeria’s aviation sector, where rising operational costs continue to threaten the survival of domestic carriers. While regulators insist there is sufficient fuel supply, operators maintain that affordability remains the core challenge.
For now, a nationwide disruption has been avoided, but uncertainty lingers as stakeholders await the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
— SUNTV Global Channel Report
