The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to reconsider their planned suspension of flight operations scheduled for Monday, citing the need to sustain critical air transport services.
In formal communication to the operators, the Minister acknowledged the severe challenges facing the industry while commending airlines for their resilience and commitment to maintaining operations despite mounting financial pressures.
He reaffirmed that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu places strategic priority on the aviation sector, describing it as vital to economic growth, national security, job creation, and trade facilitation in line with the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
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Addressing the sharp rise in Jet A1 fuel prices from N900 per litre in late February to over N3,300 per litre, Keyamo appealed to operators to avoid immediate fare increases, warning that higher ticket costs could further strain passengers and reduce demand for air travel.
The Minister also assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the crisis, announcing a high level emergency meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Abuja to chart a sustainable path forward for the industry.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
