Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has on Sunday announced the suspension of plans to shut down flight operations across the country from Monday, May 9.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the association said the decision was taken after “numerous calls from the highest echelons in government”.
AON said the federal government promised urgent intervention, adding that the suspension of the operation shutdown would be followed by a “fresh round of dialogue”.
The body clarified that their decision followed intervention by the government with promises to dialogue with operators in seeking lasting solutions to the astronomic rise in the price of aviation fuel.
The operators’ position was contained in a statement on Sunday jointly signed by its President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, and other members.
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.
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.
Read Also: Domestic Airlines To Shut Down Operations On Monday Over Fuel Price Hike
Recall that AON on Friday announced its decision to suspend flight operations from Monday in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over a hike in the cost of aviation fuel.
However, amid outcry from many Nigerians and government personalities, Ibom Airlines Limited (Ibom Air), Arik Air and Aero Contractors countered the position of AON to suspend flight operations over the hike in the price of fuel.
Read Also: Ibom Air Counters Airline Operators’ Association, Says It Won’t Suspend Flights
The airlines backed out of the planned suspension and declared that they will be operating all their scheduled flights on Monday, May 9, 2022.
