Airline operators suspend planned operations shutdown

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have rescinded their decision to shut down operations from Monday, May 9, 2022.

The operators had recently announced their readiness to shut down operations due to the increase in the cost of aviation fuel.

The body in a statement on Sunday, May 8, 2022, said they would not continue with the planned suspension of flight operations as earlier announced.

The operators said the planned shutdown was suspended after the Federal Government intervened with the promise to address the astronomic rise in the price of aviation fuel.

In the statement jointly signed by its President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, and other members said it’s set to have a fresh round of dialogue with the government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution.

The statement reads, “The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wishes to inform the general public that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, that the AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with the 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.”

Others who signed the statement include the Executive Director, Max Air, Alhaji Shehu Wada; the Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; the CEO, Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu; the CEO, Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; the MD, Azman Air, Faisal Abdulmunaf, and Chairman, Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema.