Airline operators suspend planned withdrawal of service

Airline operators in the country said on Sunday that they will stay action on the planned suspension of flight operations.

The operators said in a statement on signed by their pesident, Abdulmunaf Sarina, and other members that their decision followed intervention by the government with promises to dialogue with operators in seeking lasting solutions to the astronomic rise in the price of aviation fuel.

“The 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 JetA1, 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 the government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution,” the statement said.

“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.”

Others who signed the statement include the executive director, Max Air, Shehu Wada; chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo; CEO, Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu; CEO, Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; MD, Azman Air, Faisal Abdulmunaf, and chairman, Air Peace, Allen Onyema.