Nigeria faces aviation fuel shortage crisis
27.07.2022 – 19:05 UTC
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) association has warned of significant disruptions to flight schedules at all airports across the country, given a worsening jet fuel crisis.
On July 22, the AON issued a statement warning of cancellations and flight delays across all airports, citing “an acute scarcity of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1”.
“For this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations, including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country. This is a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the
country. We, therefore, plead for the understanding of the travelling public to bear with our members as efforts are currently being made to address the development and restore normal flight operations,” AON spokesperson and chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo said.
In an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation on July 25, Okonkwo downplayed the situation, saying the scarcity of Jet A1 fuel was “unusual and temporary”. “It’s not that there is such a big concern, but [the announcement was made] for the…
Nigerian carriers call off impending suspension of ops
08.05.2022 – 22:06 UTC
Nigeria’s commercial carriers have called off plans to unilaterally suspend all flights from Monday, May 8, after the federal government said it would “urgently intervene” and assist them given untenable Jet A1 fuel prices.
Last week, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) told Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika that its members – MaxAir (Nigeria), United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Azman Air, and Dana Air – could no longer operate sustainably given the continued erosion of their profitability. Another AON member, Ibom Air, chose not to participate.
“Over time, the aviation fuel price (Jet A1) has risen from NGN190 naira (USD0.46) per litre to NGN700 (USD1.69) 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% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shot Nigeria’s operating cost up to about 95%.”
Sirika subsequently appealed to AON to defer the suspension adding…
