May 16, (THEWILL) – Domestic airline operators in the country have alerted the general public to impending disruptions of scheduled flight operations.
The operators, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the spokesman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Prof Obiora Okonkwo, stated that the development is being forced on them by the lingering scarcity of aviation fuel popular as Jet-A1.
According to the operators, the scarcity is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and it may lead to flight rescheduling or cancellations.
They further said in the statement, “However, the association and its members are working very hard and in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders, to ensure availability and proper pricing of aviation fuel in the country.
“While pleading for the understanding of the flying public in the face of this reality, we also promise to do all that is necessary and within our powers, to restore normal flight schedules as soon as possible.”
For some time, aviation fuel has posed a major challenge to airline operators in the country. With the scarcity, the price has been increasing astronomically. For instance, as at February 2021, aviation fuel sold for N190 per litre. In February 2022, within one year, the price climbed up to N440 per litre in most airports across the country. Today, the price is hovering between N600 to N700 per litre.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
