Nigeria: Flight Disruption Fears As Ground Handlers Move to Withdraw Services to Two Airlines

What the report says

Nigeria’s ground handling companies are warning of possible flight disruption after their industry association, AGHAN, ordered members to issue seven-day notices to two major domestic airlines over unpaid debts. The development, reported by Daily Trust on 9 September 2026 from Abuja, affects airlines that were not named in the article.

According to the report, AGHAN said the two carriers account for more than 70% of the total debt owed to ground handling firms. The association said the airlines would need to pay 75% of what they owe during the notice period, with the remaining balance to be handled through a repayment plan completed within 90 days. AGHAN said the pressure from delayed payments has affected companies’ ability to meet obligations to workers, suppliers, lenders and other stakeholders.

Ground handling firms provide services such as aircraft turnaround support and related airport operations, so any withdrawal could affect schedules if the issue is not resolved. Daily Trust noted that AGHAN had recently withdrawn services to Max Air, and that other major airlines also owe handling companies money.

AGHAN said it wants the issue resolved through engagement rather than disruption, and said it supports efforts by Nigeria’s aviation authorities to improve safety, efficiency and commercial sustainability in the sector.