By Chioma Iruke
Airline operators in Nigeria have sited non-availability and rising cost of aviation fuel, inadequate parking spaces at airports as reasons for the frequent practice of delay and cancellations of domestic flights in the country.
The operators, led by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, stated this when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi.
This was even as operators also demanded the prosecution of unruly passengers at the Airports.
Onyema claimed that on several occasions, aviation fuel also known as JetA1, has been very scarce nationwide and has been affecting airline operations around the country.
He added that at times, the operators go the extra mile to fulfil their obligation to customers by looking for fuel at the black market.
“Apart from the fact that the shortage of Jet A-1 is crippling our operations, the marketers have been increasing the price of the product consistently in the recent past to an unbearable point.
“As of April this year, Jet A-1 fuel was being sold for about N230 a litre. About a month ago in May, the price jumped to between N250- N255.
“As of today, the price has skyrocketed to an average of N280- N300 a litre depending on if you are buying in Lagos or Abuja. This has greatly increased our operational cost,” he said.
He explained that during the rush hour between 6.39am – 8.30, there are usually between 14-15 aircraft departures out of the local airport in Lagos, adding that the Apron at Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos could only accommodate a maximum of six aircraft at a time, while the newly built apron can accommodate another three or four aircraft. This he said, causes jostle for parking space which further causes delay.
Other reasons cited by Onyeama were non-availability of forex for spare parts and maintenance, sudden change of weather, delay 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 the unruly behaviour of some passengers, Onyema lamented that some passengers usually assault airline staff for no just reason while some of their computers have been destroyed by these passengers.
Although members of the Committee kicked against the reasons presented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Committee said the purpose of the meeting was to address the issue of causes of delay and cancellations of domestic flights.
