AGHAN threatens service shutdown from May 6 over unpaid debts, raising fears of nationwide aviation chaos…..
Nigeria’s aviation sector is bracing for potential disruption as the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has issued a final three-day ultimatum to airlines over unpaid debts, warning that services could be withdrawn if payments are not made.
In a notice dated April 30 and addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the association said repeated efforts to resolve the issue have yielded no response from airline operators, leaving ground handling companies under growing financial strain.
The letter, signed by AGHAN Chairman Olaniyi Adigun and Vice-Chairman Ahmed Bashir, expressed frustration over what it described as continued silence from airlines despite earlier engagements.
According to the group, its members have acted in good faith to reach an amicable resolution but can no longer sustain operations under mounting debt pressures. As a result, the association has now set a firm deadline for payment.
The ultimatum, which was initially scheduled to begin on May 1, was adjusted in recognition of the Workers’ Day holiday. The revised timeline runs from May 4 to May 6, after which AGHAN says it will withdraw services from all indebted airlines if no agreement is reached.
Such a move could have immediate and far-reaching consequences. Ground handlers play a critical role in aviation operations, providing essential services such as aircraft turnaround, baggage handling, and refueling support. A withdrawal would likely ground flights across multiple airports, disrupting travel plans and affecting the broader economy.
Despite the hardline stance, AGHAN signaled it remains open to dialogue. The association said it is willing to engage in urgent discussions to prevent operational shutdowns, noting that key authorities have been notified due to the potential national impact.
Among those copied on the correspondence are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Department of State Services (DSS), underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The standoff comes at a delicate time for the aviation industry. President Bola Tinubu recently approved a 30 percent discount on debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies in a bid to cushion the impact of rising aviation fuel costs. Earlier in April, the AON had also threatened to suspend operations over the same issue, highlighting the financial pressures facing operators.
With the deadline fast approaching, attention is now on whether both sides can reach a last-minute agreement or if Nigeria’s already strained aviation sector will be pushed into another round of disruption.
