Nigerian airlines have alerted air travellers that the chronic aviation fuel scarcity experienced most part of the year has become worse and would disrupt flights during the Christmas holiday.
Despite the high prices of the product, known also as Jet A1, which ranges from N240 per litre in Lagos and higher elsewhere, the marketers said they couldn’t import aviation fuel because they do not have access to foreign exchange.
Reacting to the paucity of the product, Nigeria’s major carrier, Arik Air has alerted passengers of worsening aviation fuel supply leading to flights delays and some cancellations at airports across the country.
The airline said the fuel scarcity, which has been on for several days is becoming more intense with the inability of approved major fuel marketers to meet the demands of airline, especially at this time when maximum number of passengers are traveling for the Yuletide.
“Arik Air, the largest airline operator has been operating over 100 daily flights and therefore experiences a larger impact of this scarcity compared to other airlines. The airline requires a daily supply of approximately 500,000 liters for its operations but it has been getting between 180,000 and 200,000 over the past 10 days, which has severely impacted the scheduled flight operations,” the airline’s spokesman, Adebanji Ola said.
The airline also noted that despite the abrupt and random fuel price increase by some marketers, which the airline may be forced to pass on to its customers; the product supply still remains epileptic.
“The airline is appealing for the understanding of its passengers who have been booked to travel on its flights. Passengers are also advised to always visit the airline’s website, www.arikair.com or contact the Call Center on 01 2799999 for information about their flights,” Arik Air said.
Dana Air official who also spoke to THISDAY said the scarcity of the product is biting and has caused delay of their flights and it if continues to be unavailable, the airline may be forced to cancel flights.
Before the Christmas season scarcity of Jet A1 has distorted flight schedules in domestic operations and has caused delays and flight cancellations.
The problem is exacerbated, as more people would be travelling to stay with their families to celebrate Christmas.
