The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika Sunday commended the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) for their patriotism despite the high cost of Jet-A1 which they are passing through.
The Minister made the commendation at the backdrop of some of the Airliners who are currently reviewing their decision to withdraw services as earlier planned.
Reacting to the development through a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Dr James Odaudu, said, the threat by the Airline Operators of Nigeria was never a strike against the Federal government, being that their operation was purely their private business.
The statement said: “Since members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) issued notice of withdrawal of flight services as a result of rising cost of Jet A1 (Aviation fuel), and in spite of the initial statement by the Ministry, enquiries have continued to flood in with some under the erroneous impression that the withdrawal was a kind of strike against the government.
“We wish to state that the decision of the Association is purely a business one as they are private businesses reacting to market forces but appealing for interventions to enable them carry on with their operations.
“The Ministry has always made conscious efforts to assist members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), some of which includes facilitating a meeting between the Association and Mr President, during which the Association got several concessions, including duty-free importation of aircraft, engines, spare parts and components.
“The Honourable Minister at various times personally took members of the Association to engage with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sort out issues of access to Foreign Exchange (FOREX) for their operations, and also the NNPC to exploit ways of ensuring the availability of Aviation fuel (JET A1) through importation or from the major Marketers.
“It should also be recalled that members of the Association were also considered for, and given Bail-out funds to the tune of N4 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that they remained afloat. This was without prejudice to the fact that most of them were heavily indebted to Aviation agencies (as they still are).
“We believe that members of the Association are patriots who have continued to bear the brunt of an unfavourable oil market for which we salute their doggedness.
“It is gratifying that members of the Association have started reviewing the decision to withdraw flight services, with Ibom Air Green Africa Airlines, Arik Air, Dana and others confirming that they will carry on with their normal flight schedules. We hope that other members will consider the expected impact on businesses and individuals and review their decision.
“We also wish to assure foreign airlines operating in the country that all logistics and services for their operations remain in place as usual and that no disruptions whatsoever should be envisaged.
“As a government, we reiterate our commitment to the continued growth of the aviation industry where airlines and other service providers operate in a profitable and competitive environment”, the statement concluded.
