The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, says it will shut down its operations nationwide over hike in the price of aviation fuel which cost N700 per litre.

President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina disclosed this in a letter by AON and sent to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, ahead of Monday deadline.

He lamented that Jet A1 has shot up the cost of operations to over 95 percent, thereby passing the burden on passengers.

Part of the letter read, “It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have carried on deploying and subsidizing their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.

“Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period.

“While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%.

“In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000.

“The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.

“To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) hereby wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday, May 9, 2022 until further notice”.

Recall that AON had threatened to shut down its operations few months ago when the price of Aviation fuel, hit the roof.

Editor’s Note: Credit google for featured photograph

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