Why AON called off planned service withdrawal
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Airline operators in Nigeria is awaiting the outcome of fresh round of dialogues with government officials and fuel market players to determine whether to proceed with its planned withdrawal of services to protest aviation fuel crisis in the country.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) stated that stay of action which prevented shut down of the aviation services last Monday followed the its deference to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises.
According to a statement by President of AON, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the airlines in the country currently face astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, leading to high cost of operations and erosion of commercial margins.
The statement was jointly signed by the Executive Director of Max Air, Alhaji Shehu Wada; Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; CEO of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu; CEO of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; and MD, Azman Air, Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf.
The operators said the AON acceded to requests to withdraw the industrial 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.”
