The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned of a nationwide shutdown of flight operations if labour unions repeat recent violent disruptions of commercial airline activities. This stance was detailed in a communiqué issued at the AON's General Meeting held on September 23, 2026, in Abuja. The meeting evaluated current security threats, infrastructure challenges, and systemic operational bottlenecks in the aviation ecosystem.
The AON commended the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for investing in terminal infrastructure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. However, they insisted that airlines must be consulted in the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation of the airport. The association argued that involving operators will allow them to contribute practical operational insights regarding passenger movement, terminal flow, and facility layout.
The AON condemned the violent disruption of airline operations on August 11, 2026, when aviation unions blocked access to departure terminals and check-in counters at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos, as well as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The blockade paralyzed Air Peace operations and affected multiple other carriers, resulting in physical assaults on airline staff, flight cancellations, and nationwide passenger displacement.
Air Peace alone incurred over N2 billion in direct revenue losses across 70 impacted flights, while United Nigeria Airlines had over 30 flights disrupted, affecting 13,000 passengers. The airlines stated that the blockades constituted "unlawful interference" under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17. The AON warned that any future union disruption targeting a domestic airline will result in an immediate shutdown of all commercial flights nationwide.
The association addressed public criticism surrounding flight delays and cancellations, emphasizing that most operational disruptions stem from factors outside the carriers' control. The AON outlined eight primary structural challenges impacting domestic schedules, including adverse weather, apron congestion, and high aviation fuel costs.
The AON member airlines unanimously passed a vote of implicit confidence in the association's executive leadership team. The body reaffirmed its commitment to its constitution and ethical code of conduct, pledging to protect passengers, employees, and fleet assets while driving economic growth as critical catalysts of Nigeria's macroeconomic stability.
The AON's warning comes as the association seeks to address the lingering issues affecting the aviation sector. With the threat of a nationwide shutdown looming, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the issues. The situation remains a pressing concern for the aviation industry and the Nigerian economy as a whole.
Key points
- Nigerian airlines may shut down operations nationwide if labour unions repeat recent disruptions.
- The AON wants to be involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
- The recent disruptions resulted in significant revenue losses for airlines and affected thousands of passengers.
