Nigerian Airline Operators Announce Plan To Start Cancelling, Rescheduling Flights

Nigerian airlines have announced that there will be disruption in flight schedule in the coming days over scarcity of Jet-A1, popularly known as aviation fuel. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday.

According to the umbrella body of the airlines, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the aviation sector has been hit by a major crisis, and it will result in flight cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.

Recall that three months ago, the aviation industry had also experienced rescheduling of flights, as well as cancellations, after aviation fuel skyrocketed to N700 from N150 per litre.

In the recent statement released by the AON spokesman, Obiora Okonkwo, the airlines stated, “This is to notify the members of the public, especially, consumers of air transport services in the country, that the aviation sector has been hit by a major crisis with the acute scarcity of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1.

“For this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations, including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.” Adding, “This is a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the country.”

The airlines are suffering from the high cost of imported petroleum products, that has made aviation fuel scarce and almost unaffordable, thereby, increasing the cost of operation or expenses of the Nigerian airlines.

Recall that Aero Contractors had also shutdown its passenger flight operation due to rising cost of maintenance of its aircraft, that has made it impossible for the company to continue the passenger operation.

Meanwhile, Dana Airlines was recently suspended from flying in Nigeria’s airspace over its financial struggles and reoccurring incidents that threatens the life of its passengers.