Airlines Report Flight Cancellations As Fuel Scarcity Worsens. 

Due to a shortage of aviation fuel in the nation, airlines have issued an official statement announcing schedule changes.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced plans to interrupt their routine flight schedules on Monday, May 16 2022, due to the persistent lack of aviation fuel.

The news was delivered in a statement signed by Prof. Obiora, their spokeswoman, and captioned ‘Public notice: Disruptions in flying operations.’

The AON stated that the persistent fuel constraint is having a severe impact on its operations, which is why the cancellations and disruptions are occurring.

The statement read in part, “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-Al.

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

“However, the association and its members are working very hard, and in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders, to ensure availability and proper pricing of aviation fuel 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.”

This comes just a week after airline operators postponed their scheduled shutdown. The operators stated the scheduled shutdown was postponed when the Federal Government intervened, promising to address the astronomical surge in aviation fuel prices.