Flight cancellations and delays are expected across Nigerian airports from Thursday, as ground handling service providers have announced a shutdown of operations over unresolved disputes with aviation authorities and airlines. The Ground Handling Companies Association of Nigeria has directed its members to withdraw services indefinitely, citing poor working conditions, delayed payments, and regulatory bottlenecks.
Ground handlers provide critical services including baggage handling, aircraft marshalling, refuelling, and cabin cleaning. A shutdown would effectively paralyse airline operations, as most domestic carriers rely on these contractors rather than maintaining in-house handling teams. The association has accused the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of failing to address longstanding grievances, including the high cost of operating permits and what members describe as unfair competition from airline-owned handling subsidiaries.
From an economic perspective, the aviation sector is already under severe strain from soaring Jet A1 prices, which have risen above N3,000 per litre in some locations. A ground handling shutdown would add to the financial pressure on airlines, which would face additional costs for last-minute rebooking, passenger compensation, and aircraft repositioning. Travel disruptions could also affect business confidence, as executives rely on air travel for client meetings and site visits.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has called for urgent talks to avert the shutdown, acknowledging that the sector cannot absorb further shocks. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has also intervened, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue. However, ground handlers insist that only concrete commitments, not promises, will call off the action. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling, as the situation remains fluid. The looming shutdown highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s aviation value chain, where a disruption in one segment can quickly cascade across the entire system.
