Expect Flight Cancellations, Delays In Coming Weeks - AON

Abiola Seun

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), on Monday, called the attention of Nigerians to imminent flight disruptions, as the scarcity of Aviation Turbine Kerosine (ATK), also known as, Jet A1 continues to rock the sector.

The association’s spokesman, Obiora Okonkwo, in a statement made available to newsmen, said that the unending fuel scarcity is affecting the seamless operations of air transport in the country.

According to him, the development could lead to flight rescheduling and cancellations.

He said, “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-A1.

“The scarcity is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and would lead to flight rescheduling, and, or, cancellations”.

Okonkwo further stated that the AON is working tirelessly in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders to ensure availability and proper pricing of the product 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”, he added.

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.