Domestic Flights Delay, Cancellation Will Continue, Operators Tell Senate

The operators of airlines in Nigeria have justified the delay
and cancellations of domestic flights in the country.

The operators hinged the reason on non-availability and rising
cost of aviation fuel, also known as JetA1 and inadequate parking
spaces at airports.

The operators, led by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema,
stated this on Tuesday when they appeared before the Senate
Committee on Aviation chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi.

He also demanded the prosecution of unruly passengers at the
Airports.

Onyema claimed that on several occasions, 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.

He said, “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.”

The CEO of Peace Airline also hinged the cancellation and delay
of flights on inadequate parking spaces for aircraft.

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.

Unfortunately, he said, the Apron at Muritala Muhammed Airport,
Ikeja, 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 means jostle for parking space which also
causes delay.

Other reasons cited by Onyema 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 called for
the prosecution of some passengers who behave unruly at the
airport.

He lamented that some passengers usually assault airline staff
for no just reason while some of their computers have been
destroyed by these passengers.

But, the members of the Committee kicked against the reasons
presented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

They said something must be done by the operators to address the
causes of delays and cancellations in domestic Airline
Operations.

Specifically, Senator Abba Moro said that the excuses by the
operators were not the tradition in other countries across the
world.

The Chairman of the Committee Smart Adeyemi said that the
purpose of the meeting was to address the issue of causes of delay
and cancellations of domestic flights.

He also said the panel was concerned about the state of the
airport across the country and safety measures put in place.

The operators of airlines in Nigeria have justified the delay
and cancellations of domestic flights in the country.

The operators hinged the reason on non-availability and rising
cost of aviation fuel, also known as JetA1 and inadequate parking
spaces at airports.

The operators, led by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema,
stated this on Tuesday when they appeared before the Senate
Committee on Aviation chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi.

He also demanded the prosecution of unruly passengers at the
Airports.

Onyema claimed that on several occasions, 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.

He said, “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.”

The CEO of Peace Airline also hinged the cancellation and delay
of flights on inadequate parking spaces for aircraft.

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.

Unfortunately, he said, the Apron at Muritala Muhammed Airport,
Ikeja, 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 means jostle for parking space which also
causes delay.

Other reasons cited by Onyema 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 called for
the prosecution of some passengers who behave unruly at the
airport.

He lamented that some passengers usually assault airline staff
for no just reason while some of their computers have been
destroyed by these passengers.

But, the members of the Committee kicked against the reasons
presented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

They said something must be done by the operators to address the
causes of delays and cancellations in domestic Airline
Operations.

Specifically, Senator Abba Moro said that the excuses by the
operators were not the tradition in other countries across the
world.

The Chairman of the Committee Smart Adeyemi said that the
purpose of the meeting was to address the issue of causes of delay
and cancellations of domestic flights.

He also said the panel was concerned about the state of the
airport across the country and safety measures put in place.