Domestic and international flight operations across the routes of indigenous airlines may be disrupted from tomorrow, following a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) over an outstanding debt exceeding N9 billion by the airlines.

AGHAN, the umbrella body of five ground handling companies in Nigeria, which provide critical services, including passengers’ check-in, baggage handling, aircraft marshalling, refuelling coordination and ramp services to airline operations, accused the operators of the debt, which it said was negatively impacting the operations of its members.

The ground handling companies are Skyway Handling Company of Nigeria (SAHCO) Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Butake Handling Company, Precision Handling Company Limited and Swissport Handling Company.

The letter to this effect, which was jointly signed by AGHAN Chairman, Olaniyi Adigun and Vice Chairman, Ahmed Bashir, and addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), is dated April 21, 2026, titled: “Outstanding Indebtedness and Notice of Possible Withdrawal of Services.”

The letter that was also copied to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Director-General, Civil Aviation (DGCA), Chris Najomo; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, was obtained by The Guardian at the weekend.

AGHAN, in the letter, warned that its member-companies could be forced to suspend ground handling services from Tuesday, April 28, 2026, if the debts were not settled within the stipulated timeframe.

The letter read in part: “This situation has continued to exert significant pressure on the operational capacity of our members, adversely affecting their ability to deliver sustainable, efficient and safe services. It has also created considerable financial strain on the management and workforce of the affected organisations.

Despite repeated engagements and efforts made in good faith by our members to secure settlement of these obligations, the responses received thus far have not yielded the desired outcomes, with payment commitments largely unmet.

“In the light of the foregoing, and to safeguard the continued viability of our members’ operations, we wish to respectfully notify you that our members may be constrained to withdraw services should these outstanding debts remain unresolved within seven days from the date of this letter. ”

AGHAN, while expressing hope that the ultimatum would prompt swift action from airline operators to settle the outstanding obligations and avert a shutdown, apologised to air travellers for any inconvenience the situation may cause and reiterated commitment to a peaceful resolution on the matter. (The Guardian)

Update news