By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Body of key players in Nigeria’s Aviation industry, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), has reiterated its decision to suspend operation over the recent hike of the price of aviation fuel.
AON said it remains resolute on that difficult but inevitable decision.
This resolution was contained in a statement in Lagos, on Saturday, May 7, 2022, after its meeting.
It said that in the light of frantic developments within the last twenty four hours since informing the general public of the decision to suspend operations in response to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would like to state unequivocally that it stand firmly by its decision.
It maintained that, Airline operators are patriotic citizens doing all it could to protect the flying public contrary to what some subjective schools of thought might suggest.
That statement was jointly signed by Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina
President, AON and Chief executives of major airlines operating in Nigeria.
It stated further: “This is a collective sacrifice for the common interest of our nation.
“Hence, may we use this medium to clearly state that; “Airlines are not on strike. We are private investors and we simply don’t have the money to continue to pay in cash upfront at N700 per liter of JetA1 which has increased our cost unbearably to about 95%. It is totally unsustainable.
“AON however regrets the unfortunate position taken by one of our members not to stand by the collective decision. While they may have their reasons for doing what they did, it is pertinent to note that they equally accepted in their statement that the JetA1 situation poses an “existential threat to the air transport industry in Nigeria” and that “the out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.
“To this end therefore, we remain resolute in our resolve to find a lasting solution to this crucial problem of national emergency and once again use this medium to appeal to the conscience of our esteemed passengers for their understanding.”