• Third Bird Strike In 48hrs Grounds UNA Aircraft
Members of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have suspended their planned nationwide shutdown over alleged 300 per cent increase in the price of Jet A1.

The suspension followed an appeal on Friday by the Federal Government urging them to refrain from increasing airfares or embarking on flight suspension over the alleged development.

However, the operators warned that the suspension is temporary, stating that their next line of action depends on the outcome of a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, scheduled for Wednesday.

The AON announced the decision in a communiqué released late Friday after an emergency meeting. The group described its decision as “concessionary but conditional.”

“The Exco would like to state unequivocally that the planned shutdown action scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, is hereby called off, albeit temporarily,” the communiqué read.

The airlines had threatened the shutdown operations over the rising cost of JetA1 aviation fuel. But Keyamo, in a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to their president, urged them to shelve the plan and scheduled a high-level emergency stakeholders’ meeting for April 22, 2026, in Abuja, where key industry players and regulatory authorities will sit together to find a practical and sustainable solution to the crisis.

The minister had lauded the airlines’ resilience since the ongoing war between Israel/United States and Iran started on February 28, 2026, noting that they had continued to sustain operations despite mounting cost pressures.

He said: “Let me reiterate that the administration of President Bola Tinubu accords the aviation sector the highest strategic importance. In line with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, the sector remains a critical national asset essential to trade facilitation, national security, employment generation, and overall economic integration.

“You will also acknowledge that the Government of President Bola Tinubu has initiated unprecedented reforms in the sector aimed at supporting the growth and sustenance of the businesses of local operators.”

However, against the backdrop of rising costs, the minister had urged caution in decision-making by airline operators.

He specifically appealed to airlines to exercise restraint in adjusting ticket prices, warning that any immediate fare increase could worsen economic hardship for Nigerians, reduce passenger demand, and limit access to air travel.

He had also cautioned against any planned suspension of operations, maintaining that such a move could have far-reaching consequences on the economy.

He noted that a shutdown would disrupt mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence in the aviation sector and undermine ongoing reforms.

Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has encountered a third bird strike incident involving one of its aircraft in the last 48 hours.

A statement on Friday by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), UNA, Chibuike Uloka, said the latest incident affected its Embraer 190 aircraft during the take-off of flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, at about 16:20 last Wednesday.

According to the airline, the bird strike damaged the aircraft’s Nose Landing Gear (NLG) door linkage, forcing its immediate withdrawal from service for safety checks and repairs.

Uloka noted that the development brought to three the number of its aircraft grounded due to bird strike incidents in less than 48 hours and the seventh such occurrence recorded so far in 2026.

The airline regretted that the recent incidents were extremely concerning and unacceptable; stressing that all affected aircraft had been taken out of operation in line with its strict safety protocols.

The statement added: “While our operating aircraft have experienced multiple bird strike incidents, we report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damage part(s).

“We urge FAAN to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimise the risk of such occurrences.”

The recurring incidences of bird strikes are raising concerns over aviation safety and wildlife hazard management at Nigerian airports.