Jet A-1 Scarcity: Nigerian airlines alert travellers to flight disruptions, cancellations
The Airlines Association of Nigeria (AON) has advised air travellers in the country to expect flight disruptions, saying the shortage of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1, is likely to affect schedules.
The AON Spokesman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo in a press statement, which he signed and made available in Lagos on Friday, appealed to the travelling public for their understanding.
The statement read, “This is to notify the members of the public, especially, consumers of air transport services in the country, that the aviation sector has been hit by a major crisis with the acute scarcity of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1.
“For this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.
“This is a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the country.
“We, therefore, plead for the understanding of the travelling public to bear with our members as efforts are currently being made to address the development and restore normal flight operations.
“AON is committed to rendering seamless and uninterrupted air transport service across the country,” the statement reads.
In the same vein, the authorities of Ibom Air have alerted their customers of the possibility of cancellation of flights amid the recent delay of scheduled flights operated by the airline.
The airline’s General Manager of Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, explained the reasons for the setback in a statement on Friday.
He said the recent difficulty experienced by its customers was a result of the growing unavailability of aviation fuel.
Stressing that the airline’s operations have been greatly impacted, Essienette hinted that the delay might even lead to the cancellation of some flights.
He, however, assured their customers of Ibom Air’s commitment to addressing the situation which he described as unprecedented and disruptive to the airline’s value proposition.
According to the airline’s spokesman, the company will do everything it can to operate its flight schedule as close to 100% as possible and work to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
The setback announced by Ibom Air is the latest in the chains of challenges bedevilling the nation’s aviation industry, specifically as a result of the high cost of aviation fuel and lack of the product in some cases.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Air indefinitely.
The decision, according to NCAA Director-General, Captain Musa Nuhu, was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015.
