By Dickson Omobola

Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Friday, temporarily suspended its earlier planned shutdown action scheduled to take effect on Monday April 20, 2026.

The body’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees stated that the decision was reached following their deliberation and consideration of an intervention the association received through a letter of appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, calling for a stay of action.

According to the body, the planned shutdown has been called off for now, pending the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the minister and scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to allow for dialogue.

The statement reads: “Rising from an emergency meeting held this evening, the AON has reached a concessionary but conditional decision to temporarily suspend its earlier planned shutdown action scheduled to take effect on Monday April 20, 2026.

“The decision was reached following robust deliberations by members of the Executive Council (Exco) and Trustees in consideration of an intervention the association received through a letter of appeal from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo calling for a stay of action.

“Acknowledging the challenges being faced by airlines and appealing restraint of the planned suspension of flights in the light of the Jet Fuel crisis, the Minister said: ‘I wish to commend the resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of your members in sustaining air transport services under evidently difficult conditions.’ He added that the concerns raised by airlines have received the full attention of the Federal Government and that immediate steps will be taken to address the issues.

“In consideration of the appeals and efforts by the Minister to wade into the matter and get to the bottom of the issues surrounding the astronomical and arbitrary increase in the price of JetA1, 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 Minister and will therefore be patient for the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22, 2026, to determine any further decision.”