Lagos; May 6, 2022. 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 Jet A1 and other operating costs.
Overtime, aviation fuel price (Jet A1) 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 Jet A1 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.
While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to
ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby
creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and
the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.
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.
AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and
appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements.
Signed:
Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina
President
Jointly signed by:
- Alhaji Shehu Wada – Executive Director, Max Air 2. Dr. Obiora Okonkwo – Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines
- Capt. Mfon Udom – CEO, Ibom Air 4. Capt. Roy Ilegbodu – CEO, Arik Air
- Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood – CEO, Aero Contractors 6. Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf – MD, Azman Air
- Capt. Edward Boyo – CEO, Overland Airways 8. Mr. Sukh Mann – Deputy CEO, Dana Air
- Barr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace
CC: Honourable Minister of Aviation
DG, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
