Nigerian airlines have temporarily suspended plans for a nationwide shutdown of flight operations over soaring fuel costs, according to Reuters.
Government Appeal
The decision followed a government appeal to delay the move pending further talks, the carriers announced over the weekend.
Due to the surging jet fuel costs, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), an industry body representing roughly a dozen primarily domestic carriers, had warned they would suspend operations from Monday, April 20.
The AON also said it agreed to suspend the planned action following an appeal from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who urged restraint and called for dialogue.
“Rising from an emergency meeting held this evening, the Airline Operators of Nigeria has reached a concessionary but conditional decision to temporarily suspend its earlier planned shutdown action,” AON said in a statement.
Global Crisis
The ongoing surge in jet fuel prices has significantly troubled the global aviation industry, driven by the broadening impact of the Iran conflict, forcing airlines worldwide to raise fares, scale back expansion plans, and revise financial forecasts.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as a retaliatory move, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead, triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Nigerian airlines said that supply constraints and foreign exchange pressures have further aggravated the surge in jet fuel prices. Therefore, the operating costs have been increasing.
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