Adekunle Adesuji, Abuja
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Tuesday justified the delay and cancellations of domestic Airline Operations hinged the reason on unavailability and rising cost of aviation fuel ( JetA1) , inadequate parking space.
The group led by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema who appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi also demanded for the prosecution of unruly passengers at the Airports.
Onyema while claimed that on several occasions JetA1 becomes scarce nationwide and his affects airline operations around the country adding that at times the operators go extra miles to fulfill their obligation to customers by looking for the fuel at the black market.
He said, ” Apart from crippling issue of shortage of Jet A-1, the marketers have been increasing the price of the product consistently in the recent past to unbearable point as at April this year, Jet A-1 fuel sold for about N230 a liter.
“About a month ago in May, the price jumped to between N250- N255. As at today the price has skyrocketed to an average of N280- N300 a liter depending on if you are buying in Lagos or Abuja. This has greatly increased our operational cost.”
The CEO of Peace Airline also hinged the cancellation and delay of flights inadequate parking space for Aircraft explaining that during the rush hour between 6:39am-8:30 , there are usually between 14-15 aircraft departure out of the local airport in Lagos . Unfortunately, the Apron at Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja , Lagos for instance can only accommodate a maximum of six aircraft at a time and the newly built apron can accommodate another 3-4 aircraft. This means jostle for parking space which also causes delay.
Other reason cited by Onyema are unavailability of Forex for Spare parts and maintenance, sudden change of weather, day due to VIP movement, inefficient passenger access and facilitation, delay clearance of spare parts from Customs and inadequate screening and exit points at departure.
On unruly behavior of some passengers, Onyema called for the prosecution of some passengers who behave unruly at the airport lamenting that some passengers have slapped their staff for no just reason and some of their computers have been destroyed by these passengers.
But, the members of the Committee kicked against the reasons presented by Airline Operators of Nigeria saying nothing cogent must be done by operators to address the causes of delays and cancellations in domestic Airline Operations.
Specifically, Senator Abba Moro said that the excuses of by the Airline Operators of Nigeria lamenting that is not the tradition in other countries across the world.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee said that the purpose of the meeting is to address the issue of causes of delay and cancellations in domestic Airline operations in the country and also look at the state of the Airport across the country and safety measure put in place.
