Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, has temporarily suspended operations over economic crisis.
Airlines have been complaining about the skyrocketing price of Aviation fuel known as Jet A1 as well as its scarcity.
Aero Contractors Company Nig. Ltd. will halt passenger services on Wednesday.
A statement on Monday disclosed that the decision followed the impact of the challenging environment on daily operations.
Aero said most of its aircraft were undergoing maintenance, resulting in inability to offer efficient service to customers.
The company assured the public that the planes will be available “in the next few weeks”.
The management said recent months had been difficult for the aviation industry and the operators.
The challenges listed include high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation and forex scarcity caused by high exchange rates.
“Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wishes to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger service operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022,” the airline said.
”We are coordinating with our business partners to ensure minimum discomfort to ticket holders”, the statement noted.
The airline said the situation was made worse as some of its aircraft were undergoing maintenance and we’re unavailable for use.
“The decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers,” it said.
“We are working to bring these aircrafts back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd,” the airline said.
However, the suspension does not affect Aero’s Approved Maintenance Organisation (AeroMRO); Training School and charter services.
