A planned industrial action by Nigeria’s aviation ground handling companies has been temporarily suspended following the intervention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), easing fears of widespread disruption to flight operations across the country.
The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), which had threatened to withdraw services over more than N9 billion owed by airlines to handling firms, confirmed that it has put the planned strike on hold pending further discussions with regulators and airline operators.
The strike was initially scheduled to commence on May 7, 2026, and was expected to affect critical airport and airline operations nationwide. Ground handling companies provide essential services including passenger check-in, baggage processing, ramp operations, aircraft cleaning, cargo handling and turnaround support, making them central to daily flight activities.
In a joint statement signed by AGHAN President, Olaniyi Adigun, and Vice President, Ahmed Bashir, the association said the decision followed an invitation by the NCAA to attend a stakeholders’ meeting slated for May 12 at the regulator’s annex office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
AGHAN said it also received formal communication from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), signalling a renewed willingness among stakeholders to engage on the lingering debt crisis.
The association described the NCAA’s intervention as a positive development that could pave the way for structured dialogue and a mutually beneficial resolution. According to AGHAN, consultations are continuing among member companies and other industry stakeholders to review recent developments and agree on a unified position ahead of the meeting.
The debt dispute has exposed growing financial pressures within Nigeria’s aviation industry, with handling companies warning that prolonged non-payment by airlines has placed severe operational and financial strain on their businesses. Several of the affected firms, including Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Swissport Handling Company, Butake Handling Company and Precision Handling Company Limited, had earlier backed the ultimatum to airlines.
AGHAN had previously accused airline operators of failing to respond meaningfully to earlier notices and engagement efforts, prompting the association to issue a final three-day warning before the NCAA stepped in to mediate.
Despite suspending the planned action, AGHAN maintained that the underlying issues remain unresolved and stressed the need for concrete commitments on debt repayment and industry sustainability. The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety, operational stability and uninterrupted aviation services while discussions continue.
Industry observers say the NCAA’s intervention may have prevented a major operational crisis, as any disruption to ground handling services could have led to flight delays, cancellations and wider disruptions across Nigeria’s airports.
Passengers and stakeholders are now awaiting the outcome of the May 12 meeting, which is expected to focus on repayment arrangements, operational concerns and measures to prevent future disputes between airlines and aviation service providers.
