Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has raised the alarm over impending Jet A1 (aviation fuel) scarcity, saying this may threaten seamless flight services as the country celebrates the yuletide season.

AON in a statement signed by its spokesman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo and made available to aviation journalists noted that the scarcity of the product was once again affecting their operations, stressing that this had been the situation in the past few days.

He feared that the scarcity of the product may compel the airlines to reschedule their flights, while flight cancellations are also inevitable.

He regretted the situation, describing it as a pain on airline operators and a stain on the industry, especially at this time of mass movement of people for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He said: “The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wish to inform the public of impending disruptions in scheduled flight operations due to the scarcity of aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET-A1, which reared its ugly head again in the past few days.

“The scarcity will no doubt force airlines to reschedule flights leading to late operations and, or, cancellations.”

He, however, promised that the operators would do their utmost best to manage the situation and ensure safe flight operations, but pleaded for the understanding of the travelling public in the present circumstance.

Besides, Okonkwo appealed to the relevant authorities, including product importers and marketers to do their best to resolve the situation so as to ease the stress it brings on the travelling public.

He insisted that the operators remained committed to doing all that is necessary to ensure seamless services and safe air travels in our dear country.

Just a few weeks ago, players in the Nigerian aviation industry called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency intervene in the continuous rise of the price of Jet A1.

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The industry players had said that the government’s intervention would prevent the total collapse of the country’s economy.

A litre of aviation fuel goes for about N800, which is an astronomical rise from N200 per litre barely two years ago.

Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, had warned that the situation was becoming unbearable to the airline operators in Nigeria and feared that if not put under control, there may be a sad tale.

He, however, assured that rather for the airlines to cut corners, they would shut down operations, assuring that no aircraft would fall off from the sky.