Monday, 27 November, 2023

Flights halted in Nigeria over rising jet fuel costs



Domestic flights in Nigeria have been disrupted since March as some started to cancel internal schedules while others delayed operations, citing scarcity of jet fuel.

The continued rise in the cost of jet fuel has created operational pressures that put into question their financial viability.
The continued rise in the cost of jet fuel has created operational pressures that put into question their financial viability. (Twitter/@NepalDiplomat)

Nigerian airlines will stopoperations due to the high costof jet fuel, the Airline Operators of Nigeria association said.

Jet fuel has risen to 700 naira per litre in Nigeria from190 naira over a short period, the airline association said in astatement, saying that the cost of a one-hour flight has morethan doubled to 120,000 naira, which is unsustainable.

Airline passengers in Nigeria pay for fares in naira, whichhas weakened sharply due to devaluations. Fuel suppliers howeverare paid in dollars, a scarce currency in Africa's top economy.

The association said the continued rise in the cost of jetfuel has created operational pressures that put into questiontheir financial viability.

"To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) … inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022 until further notice," it said.

Domestic flights have been disrupted since March as some started to cancel internal schedules while others delayed operations, citing scarcity of jet fuel.

Global jet fuel prices have soared after Russia's attacks on Ukraine triggered a surge in the crude oil market, hitting airlines and passengers with steep cost increases.

READ MORE:Nigeria: Explosion at illegal oil refinery kills scores

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