NCAA halts aviation shutdown as AGHAN suspends strike over ₦9bn debt

A major disruption that threatened flight operations across Nigeria was temporarily averted on Wednesday after the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) suspended its planned nationwide industrial action over a ₦9 billion debt dispute involving domestic airlines.

The association announced the decision after the intervention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which invited aviation stakeholders to a conciliatory meeting scheduled for May 12 at the NCAA annex office located at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

The suspended action had been billed to commence on May 7 and was expected to severely affect airport operations nationwide, given the strategic role ground handling firms play in aircraft turnaround, passenger facilitation, baggage processing, ramp coordination, and cargo movement.

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The proposed withdrawal of services was expected to affect airport operations nationwide, given the strategic role of ground handlers in aircraft turnaround and passenger services.

In a joint statement signed by AGHAN Chairman, Olaniyi Adigun, and Vice-Chairman, Ahmed Bashir, the association said the decision to suspend the strike followed regulatory intervention and renewed engagement with airline operators.

According to the statement, the association considered the NCAA’s invitation a positive indication that authorities were prepared to address the lingering financial dispute through structured dialogue.

The group further disclosed that it had also received formal communication from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) regarding the debt crisis, describing the development as an encouraging step towards resolving months of tension between airlines and service providers.

AGHAN said it would participate fully in the forthcoming stakeholders’ meeting while consultations continue internally among its member companies and relevant aviation stakeholders.

The statement stated, “Any previously contemplated industry actions remain on hold pending the outcome of ongoing engagements and the establishment of a clear resolution framework.”

The debt dispute stems from outstanding payments allegedly owed by several domestic airlines to ground handling companies for services rendered over an extended period. The unpaid obligations, estimated at more than ₦9 billion, have reportedly placed severe financial and operational pressure on handling firms already battling rising costs, foreign exchange challenges, and infrastructure-related constraints.

Before the NCAA stepped in, AGHAN had issued a final three-day ultimatum to indebted airlines, with a warning that members would withdraw services if no concrete repayment commitment was made.

The association established that repeated attempts to secure an amicable settlement had yielded little progress, thereby worsening the financial strain on operators responsible for critical airport support services.

Indisputably, ground handlers remain indispensable to aviation operations, overseeing activities ranging from aircraft marshaling and refuelling coordination to passenger boarding logistics, luggage handling, and aircraft cleaning.

Major companies operating under AGHAN include the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHC), Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHC) and Swissport Handling Company (SHC), alongside several smaller firms operating within the sector.

Aviation stakeholders have described the NCAA’s intervention as timely, noting that a shutdown by ground handlers could have paralysed domestic flight operations and compounded existing economic pressures facing the industry.

The association reiterated its commitment to operational safety, stability, and uninterrupted aviation services across Nigerian airports, and that dialogue remains the most sustainable pathway towards resolution

AGHAN also appealed to the travelling public and industry stakeholders to remain calm as negotiations continue. It expressed optimism that the ongoing engagements would produce a mutually beneficial outcome for airlines, service providers, and regulators alike.

The outcome of the May 12 meeting is expected to determine whether both parties can reach a structured repayment arrangement capable of preventing future industrial disputes within the aviation sector.

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