Airline Operators ‘bow to pressure’, cancel nationwide shutdown

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has suspended its planned strike action over the rise in cost of aviation fuel.

President of the AON, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, who announced this on Sunday, said the decision was taken after deliberations with the Federal Government.

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In a statement, Sarina said the AON said acceded to the calls from the “highest echelons of government” to halt the action.

He said the government had promised “to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1.”

“We have also reached this decision with the highest consideration for our esteemed customers who have been faced with uncertainty over the last few days and to enable them to have access to travel to their various destinations for the time being during the period of discussions with relevant authorities.”

“In view of the above and in the interest of national economy and security considerations, AON hereby wishes to notify the general public that the earlier announced shutdown of operations on May 9, 2022 is hereby suspended in good fate pending the outcome of hopefully fruitful engagement with government.”

The development comes after no fewer than six airlines backed out of the planned shutdown.

The airlines which pulled out of the earlier joint decision to suspend operations include Ibom Air, Dana, Arik, Aero, Overland and Green Africa Airways.

Out of the six, only Green Africa is not a member of the AON.