Airlines Insist They Will Shut Down Operations Over Increased Price Of Aviation Fuel
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have
insisted they will shut down domestic flights across the country effective
Monday, May 9, over skyrocketing price of aviation fuel.
In a statement released after
the federal government’s asked them to consider the multiplier effect of
their decision on travelers, the AON maintained they are not on strike but can
continue to pay upfront in cash at N700 per liter for JetA1 which has increased
their cost of operation daily to about 95%.
The statement was
jointly signed by Shehu Wada, executive director, Max Air; Obiora Okonkwo,
chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Allen Onyema, chairman, Air Peace; Roy
Ilegbodu, CEO of Arik Air; Abdullahi Mahmood, CEO, Aero Contractors; Faisal
Abdulmunaf, MD, Azman Air; and Sukh Mann, deputy CEO, Dana Air, read;
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“In the light of frantic
developments within the last twenty-four hours since informing the general
public of our decision to suspend operations in response to the astronomic and
continuously rising cost of JetA1, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would
like to state unequivocally that we stand firmly by our decision.
“Airline operators are patriotic
citizens and we are doing all we can to protect the flying public contrary to
what some subjective schools of thought might suggest. This is a collective
sacrifice for the common interest of our nation.
“(AON) regrets the unfortunate
position taken by one of our members, Ibom Air, not to stand by the collective
decision. While they may have their reasons for doing what they did, it is
pertinent to note that they equally accepted in their statement that the JetA1
situation poses an ‘existential threat to the air transport industry in
Nigeria’ and that “the out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.
“May we use this medium to clearly
state that; Airlines are not on strike. We are private investors who do not run
our airlines with public funds to be able to continue to pay upfront in cash at
N700 per liter for JetA1 which has increased our cost daily to about 95 percent.
“This is unsustainable. And its
consequences, if allowed to stay, will be borne by the passengers; which is
what we are trying to prevent.
“To this
end, therefore, we remain resolute in our resolve to find a lasting solution to
this crucial problem of national emergency and once again use this medium to
appeal to the conscience of our esteemed passengers for their
understanding.”
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