Airline operators have called off their planned nationwide suspension of flight services, which was earlier proposed in response to what they described as unsustainable aviation fuel costs.
The decision to shelve the action follows an appeal by the Federal Government, urging stakeholders to suspend the move ahead of a meeting slated for Wednesday.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had earlier indicated it would ground operations from Monday, April 20, citing the sharp rise in jet fuel prices as a major threat to the viability of their businesses.
In a statement, the group said it agreed to put the plan on hold after Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), intervened and called for dialogue.
The operators noted that the suspension of the strike action is temporary and subject to the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 22, convened by the aviation minister.
Rising aviation fuel costs have continued to disrupt the global airline industry, largely driven by tensions linked to the Iran conflict, prompting carriers to increase ticket prices, scale back expansion plans, and revise projections.
In Nigeria, operators say the situation is worsened by limited fuel supply and foreign exchange challenges, which have significantly driven up operating expenses.
Industry data shows that fuel expenses account for over one-third of total airline operating costs in the country.
