75% planes idle, 60 days into domestic flights – AON

Two months after resumption of domestic flights, 75 per cent of planes are still parked with domestic airlines operating only 25% of their fleet, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said.

Newly elected President and founder of Azman Air, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos after AON’s Annual General Meeting.

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The AGM also saw the emergence of Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema as Vice-President while Barr. Shehu Wada of Max, emerged the Financial Secretary. However, MD of Med-View, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, his counterpart at Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, emerged Board of Trustees (BOT) members.

Yunusa said airlines are yet to recover from the headwinds caused by the COVID-19 pandemic since July 8 when domestic flights resumed after a three month break.

Daily Trust analysis of flight statistics in July showed that 1,934 flights were operated, representing 80% operational decline.

However, two months later, the situation hasn’t improved.

“All airlines are in crisis. We need urgent support and intervention,” he said.

He called for speedy release of the N27 billion aviation intervention fund.

“I am fully aware of all the pending matters and problems facing our association such as the issue of multiple taxation, VAT (value added tax), and intervention to the airline operators, duty waiver and foreign exchange.”