Domestic and international flight operations across Nigeria may face major disruption from Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has issued a final ultimatum to indigenous airlines over an outstanding debt exceeding N9 billion.
AGHAN, the umbrella body representing the country’s five major ground handling companies—NAHCO, SAHCO, Butake, Precision, and Swissport—warned that its members could withdraw services if the debt remains unpaid by the expiration of its seven-day notice.
The association said the financial burden had placed significant pressure on operators, threatening the sustainability of critical aviation support services nationwide.
Ground handling companies are responsible for essential airport operations, including passenger check-in, baggage handling, aircraft marshalling, and refuelling coordination—services considered vital to both domestic and international flight operations.
In a letter dated April 21, 2026, addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, AGHAN Chairman, Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, and Vice Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Bashir, cited worsening operational challenges caused by unpaid obligations from airline operators.
The letter stated that the association had been left with no choice but to consider service withdrawal if payment commitments were not met within the stipulated timeframe.
“To safeguard the continued viability of our members’ operations, we are constrained to withdraw services should these outstanding debts remain unresolved within seven days,” the letter read.
The deadline for compliance expires on Monday, raising fears of a possible nationwide shutdown of flight operations beginning Tuesday.
AGHAN also copied the notice to major stakeholders in the aviation sector, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo; the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); as well as the heads of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
The association expressed hope that urgent intervention by government and airline operators would prevent a complete disruption of services and avert serious consequences for passengers and the aviation industry.
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It also apologized to travelers for the anticipated inconvenience, stressing that the survival of the ground handling sub-sector was at risk if the debt crisis was not urgently addressed.
Industry stakeholders warn that a full withdrawal of services could paralyze airport operations nationwide, affecting both local and international travel, cargo movement, and broader economic activities tied to the aviation sector.
