The Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON) have it has reneged on its the earlier decision to shut down flights beginning from Monday, May 9, calling off the suspension.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that the AON had in a statement vowed to shut down operations following the high cost of aviation fuel.
In a statement by the president of the AON, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina on Sunday, he announced that airlines would continue operations as usual.
According to him, the development followed a deliberation with the Federal Government on how to tackle the fuel issue.
In a statement, Sarina said the AON said acceded to the calls from the “highest echelons of government” to halt the action.
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He said the government had promised ‘to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1.’
‘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.’
Africa Daily News, New York reports that the development comes after no fewer than six airlines backed out of the planned shutdown.
The airlines which pulled out of the earlier joint decision to suspend operations include Ibom Air, Dana, Arik, Aero, Overland and Green Africa Airways.
Out of the six, only Green Africa is not a member of the AON.
