Airlines Operators make last minute U-Turn, suspend shutdown, raise fares by 100%
NEWS
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called off its planned withdrawal of services over astronomical rise in aviation fuel.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the operators and made available to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday.
The airlines said they would start fresh round of dialogue with government with the hope of reaching an amicable and lasting solution.
The statement read, “Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wishes to inform the general public that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JET A1.
“That the AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution.
“We have also reached this decision with the highest consideration for our esteemed customers who have been faced with uncertainty over the last few days and to enable them to have access to travel to their various destinations for the time being during the period of discussions with relevant authorities.
“In view of the above and in the interest of national economy and security considerations, AON hereby wishes to notify the general public that the earlier announced shutdown of operations on May 9, 2022 is hereby suspended in good fate pending the outcome of hopefully fruitful engagement with government.”
Six out of 10 member airlines have pulled out of the planned flight suspension on Monday, taking advantage of the passengers’ glut by raising fares.
Overland, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Dana Air, Aero Contractors, and Arik Air have disclosed plans to continue with normal flight operations as fares from Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Asaba has been hiked by 100 percent.
These airlines are now charging between N85,000 to N100,000 for one hour flight which cost N50,000 two days ago, as almost all five airlines already have fully booked aircraft.
These developments are coming barely 48 hours after the Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON) disclosed plans to shut down operations following the continuous increase in Aviation fuel. Aviation fuel has skyrocketed from 190 naira per litre to 700 naira.
In a letter to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, which was copied to the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Musa Nuhu, the airlines said they could not continue their operations due to the astronomical rise in aviation fuel price.
The letter was signed by the President, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina, and the chief executives and chairmen of other airlines operating across the country
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was signed by six members of the AON.
They include Alhaji Shehu Wada, Executive Director, Max Air; Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, CEO, Arik Air; Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, CEO, Aero Contractors; Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf, MD, Azman Air and Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace. (NAN).
Source : News Agency of Nigeria