JetA1 fuel: Airline operators raises alarm over increase in flights cancellation, reschedule
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned that the ongoing scarcity of JetA1 fuel, popularly known as aviation fuel, would further increase flight reschedule and cancellation.
This was disclosed by Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria airline and the Spokesperson of AON, in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the scarcity of aviation fuel is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and would lead to flight rescheduling and cancellations.
It stated, “The Airline Operators of Nigeria wish to alert the public of impending disruptions to scheduled flight operations of members of the association. This development is being forced on members by the growing scarcity of aviation fuel popular as Jet-Al.
“The scarcity is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and would lead to flight rescheduling, and, or, cancellations.
“However, the association and its members are working very hard, and in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders, to ensure availability and proper pricing of aviation fuel in the country.
“While pleading the understanding of the flying public in the face of this reality, we also promise to do all that is necessary, and within our powers, to restore normal flight schedules as soon as possible.”
Recall that Dana Air had last week, raised the alarm of an imminent scarcity of aviation fuel across airports in Nigeria, and it was already experiencing flight delays.
Flight delays and cancellations had earlier in the year hit the sector as the price of Jet A1 gradually surged and also became unavailable to airline operators.
The AON had threatened to halt flight services across the country from May 9, citing the astronomic and unending rise in the price of the product from N190 to N700 per litre.
The body however, called off its planned suspension of operations following appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.
