Nigeria narrowly avoided a nationwide disruption of domestic flights after airline operators suspended a planned shutdown following last-minute intervention by the Federal Government.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria announced a temporary halt to the strike after an appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The move prevented what would have been a major grounding of flights on April 20, 2026, which had threatened to strand thousands of passengers across the country.

At the heart of the dispute is the sharp increase in the cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel. Airlines say prices surged from about ₦900 per litre in late February to as high as ₦3,300 per litre by mid-April, pushing operating costs beyond sustainable levels.

Operators warned that fuel now accounts for the majority of their expenses, leaving revenues insufficient to maintain operations without significant fare increases.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has, however, challenged the figures presented by airlines, stating that actual market prices range between ₦1,960 and ₦2,800 per litre depending on supply location.

The agency also pointed to lower ex-refinery prices from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and assured that the country has sufficient fuel supply, dismissing fears of scarcity.

The suspension of the strike is conditional, pending the outcome of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting scheduled in Abuja. The meeting is expected to bring together government officials, fuel suppliers, and airline executives to address the pricing dispute and find a sustainable solution.

Airlines are pushing for measures including improved access to fuel at stable prices, relief from upfront payment requirements, and broader operational support.

Although flights continue to operate, the effects of the crisis are already being felt. Airfares have risen sharply, with one-way tickets on some domestic routes climbing to between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000.

Industry observers warn that if negotiations fail, the threat of a shutdown could resurface, potentially disrupting travel plans and business activities nationwide.

For now, authorities say operations will continue as discussions progress, while urging stakeholders to reach a resolution that stabilizes the aviation sector.