The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has reversed the decision to cripple the aviation sector on Monday to cripple the nation’s aviation business over rising Jet A1.

Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina,
President of the AON disclosed this on Sunday after a dialogue with the Federal government.

He explained that the decision was taken after deliberations with the government.

Aside from Green Africa which is not a member of the AON, six airlines including Ibom Air, Dana, Arik, Aero, Overland and Green Africa Airways
had backed out of the plan.

Earlier, Mr. Shehu Wada – Executive Director, Max Air, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo – Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Barr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu – CEO, Arik Air, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood – CEO, Aero Contractors, Faisal Abdulmunaf – MD, Azman Air and Mr. Sukh Mann – Deputy CEO, Dana Air in a joint statement on Sunday afternoon, insisted that they are patriotic citizens and are doing all to protect the flying public and the nation at large.

But expressed regret over the unfortunate position taken by one of our members, Ibom Air, not to stand by the collective decision.

According to AON, “Airline operators are patriotic citizens and we are doing all we can to protect the flying public contrary to what some subjective schools of thought might suggest. This is a collective sacrifice for the common interest of our nation”, the statement read in parts.

“May we use this medium to clearly state that; “Airlines are not on strike. We are private investors who do not run our airlines with public funds to be able to continue to pay upfront in cash at N700 per litre for JetA1 which has increased our cost on daily basis to about 95%.

“This is totally unsustainable. And its consequences, if allowed to stay, will be borne by the passengers; which is what we are trying to prevent”, the statement said.

The Airline Operators sued for calm while trying to find a lasting solution to the crisis and pledged amicable resolution of the the challenges.

“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”, according to the statement.

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