According to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the biggest airlines in Nigeria are threatening to stop domestic flights on Monday because of the rise in jet fuel prices. The AON, which represents nine of the country's domestic carriers, said in a statement on Friday that the cost of imported jet fuel had increased fourfold. The statement was widely shared on social media.
Operators had already subsidized their services to passengers over the past four months, the AON said, and no airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock.
The global distribution of crude oil was disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The cost of airline tickets has gone up due to this and high demand.
The Nigerian government, AON's state-owned oil company, and fuel marketers have previously been engaged in an effort to bring down the cost of jet fuel. The cost cannot be passed on to passengers as it is unsustainable for airlines who can no longer absorb the pressure, per the statement.
Azman Air, which signed the statement, will suspend domestic flights from Monday until further notice. United Nigeria Airlines appeared to make a statement by posting a picture of the news on its own account.
One airline is not on board with this plan. Ibom Air flies to seven cities in Nigeria. It said on Saturday that it will not halt its domestic flights from Monday, as such a move would affect revenues and impact its commitments to suppliers and financiers.
The FCCPC urged the AON to reconsider its plans, saying in a statement that they could create. The FCCPC warned airlines not to sell tickets for flights it doesn't plan to do.
It will be egregious exploitation of consumers and a violation of law to purport to sell a service that the service provider does not intend to provide or deliver.
The AON and FCCPC did not reply to the request for further comment.
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