The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced the temporary suspension of its planned strike.
The suspension was announced after the intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the association’s Executive Council (Exco) and Board of Trustees held on Friday evening, the AON said it decided to suspend the shutdown to allow room for dialogue and possible resolution of the crisis.
“The planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, is hereby called off, albeit temporarily, pending the outcome of the meeting called by the Honourable Minister,” the association said.
According to AON, the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to engage constructively to find a “lasting and win-win solution” to the issues surrounding the astronomical rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
The association, however, stressed that its decision to suspend the industrial action is conditional.
“As a precondition for this suspension, we call on the Honourable Minister to urge the relevant government agencies and industry service providers to continue to provide services to airlines and desist from undue harassment,” AON stated.
It also raised concerns over the increasing demand for upfront payments by service providers, describing the trend as unsustainable for already strained airline operators.
“We further request that these agencies halt the practice of demanding upfront payment for services rendered, as this continues to compound the financial burden on operators,” the statement added.
AON reiterated that while it respects the Federal Government’s intervention, the suspension remains temporary and subject to the outcome of the forthcoming meeting.
“We respect the appeals of the Federal Government and will be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to determine any further decision,” the association said
The communique read: “In consideration of the appeals and efforts by the Honourable Minister to wade into the matter and get to the bottom of the issues surrounding the astronomical and arbitrary increase in the price of JetA, the exco would like to state unequivocally that the planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday April 20, 2026 is hereby called off albeit temporarily pending the outcome of the meeting called by the Minister scheduled to take place on Wednesday April 22, 2026 to allow for dialogue with a view to possibly finding a lasting and win-win solution for all parties concerned.
“Furthermore, as a precondition for the suspension, we call on the Honourable Minister to urge the various government agencies and industry service providers to continue to provide services to airlines and desist from undue harassment, as well as to stop demanding upfront payment for services rendered.
“We respect the appeals of the Federal Government through the office of the Honourable Minister and will therefore be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 22, 2026, to determine any further decision.”
