Flight operations across Nigeria are at risk of significant disruption as the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria has issued a final three-day ultimatum to airlines over unpaid debts estimated at more than ₦9 billion, warning that services will be withdrawn if the obligations remain unsettled.
In a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria, the association expressed frustration over what it described as persistent silence and inaction by airline operators despite earlier engagements and a prior notice issued on April 20. Copies of the correspondence were also sent to key authorities, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Department of State Services, highlighting the broader economic and security implications of the dispute.
AGHAN said its members, which include major ground handling firms such as Skyway Handling Company of Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Swissport Handling Company, Butake Handling Company and Precision Handling Company Limited, have continued to face mounting financial and operational strain due to the prolonged non-payment of dues. These companies provide safety-critical services including passenger check-in, baggage handling, aircraft marshalling, ramp coordination and refuelling support, all of which are essential to daily airline operations.
The association warned that failure by airlines to act within the revised deadline would leave it with no option but to withdraw services to all indebted carriers without further notice. “We are yet to receive any communication, commitment, or concrete action from your members regarding the outstanding indebtedness,” the letter stated, adding that the situation has severely affected the sustainability of its members’ operations.
Although the ultimatum was initially set to take effect from May 1, the group said it adjusted the timeline in recognition of Workers’ Day celebrations and the need to maintain industrial harmony. The notice period now runs from Monday, May 4 to Wednesday, May 6, after which the planned service withdrawal will commence if there is no satisfactory resolution.
Despite its firm stance, AGHAN signalled openness to dialogue, noting that it remains willing to engage airlines constructively to resolve the dispute and avoid disruption to the travelling public. Industry sources indicate that some airline operators have begun individual engagements with ground handling companies in a bid to renegotiate payment terms and reduce outstanding liabilities.
The looming standoff comes amid broader financial pressures in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where airlines are grappling with rising fuel costs, foreign exchange challenges and operational constraints, even as the Federal Government recently approved partial debt relief for operators. Analysts warn that any suspension of ground handling services could trigger widespread flight delays and cancellations, given the central role these services play in aircraft turnaround and airport logistics nationwide.
