The the Airline Operators of Nigeria has rejected the appeal by Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the House of Representatives Minority Caucus to suspend their planned suspension of airline operations, starting tomorrow, Monday.
They said that in the light of frantic developments within the last twenty four hours since informing the general public of their 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 they stand firmly by their decision.
According to Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina President Airline Operators and Alhaji Shehu Wada – Executive Director, Max Air; Barr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace; Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood – CEO, Aero Contractors; Mr. Sukh Mann – Deputy CEO, Dana Air; Dr. Obiora Okonkwo – Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Roy Ilegbodu – CEO, Arik Air and Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf ‘MD, Azman Air -MD, Azman Air, the group said that as patriotic citizens they are doing all they 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. Hence, may we use this medium to clearly state that; “Airlines are not on strike. We are private investors and we simply don’t have the money to continue to pay in cash upfront at N700 per liter of JetA1 which has increased our cost unbearably to about 95%.” It is totally unsustainable.
“AON however regrets the unfortunate position taken by one of our members 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.”
“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.
State-run Akwa Ibom Air has however caked out of the planned suspension on Monday. The management said “the airline is the only one serving the state directly and as such, any voluntary stoppage of operations would cut off access by air into and out of the state.”
