Nigerian airline operators raise alarm over scarcity of aviation fuel, threaten shutdown

Oredola Adeola

Nigerian airline operators, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), have threatened to disrupt flight operations across the country due to persistent scarcity of aviation fuel, also known as jet-A1.

Obiora Okonkwo, Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, in a statement issued on behalf of AON, on Tuesday, stated that scarcity of jet fuel returned in the past few days.

EnergyDay’s check showed that this is the third time in 2022 that the Airline operators would be issuing such a statement on the backdrop of persistent shortage and scarcity of aviation fuel in Nigeria.

According to Okonkwo passengers should expect flight reschedules and cancellations.

He said, “We wish to inform the general public of impending disruptions in scheduled flight operations due to the scarcity of aviation fuel, otherwise known as jet-A1, which reared its ugly head again in the last few days,” he said.

“The scarcity would force airlines to reschedule flights, leading to late operations and in extreme circumstances, to cancellations.

“The unintended development was a pain on airline operators and a stain on the industry, especially at this time of mass movement of people for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“While we do our utmost best to manage the situation and ensure safe flight operations, we plead the understanding of the traveling public in the circumstance,” AON’s spokesperson said.

The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines however charged the Federal Government and relevant agencies including product importers and marketers to urgently resolve the crisis, adding that the stress is unbearable for airline customers.

Okonkwo also assured the AON’s commitment to doing all that is necessary to ensure seamless services and safe air travels in our dear country.