Airlines threaten to shut down operations on Monday

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced its readiness to shut down operations from Monday over the high cost of aviation fuel.

The operators made this known via a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, by the AON President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina.

Sarina stated that the cost of aviation fuel price has risen from N190 per litre to N700 per litre.

The AON President added that the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated, creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines.

He stated: “Overtime, aviation fuel price has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period.

“While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40 per cent of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95 per cent.

“In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC, and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000.

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“The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.

“While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.

“To this end, therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, hereby, wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday, May 9, 2022, until further notice.

“AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements,” the letter read.

The Star