Nigeria’s oldest private-sector operator in the aviation sector, Aero Contractors, has announced an indefinite suspension of all flight operations, from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Aero, which has been under administration since its takeover by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2016, explained that the decision is due to ‘challenging operating environment’ in the country.
The airline industry has battled high aviation fuel prices (JET A1), foreign exchange, drop in passenger traffic, rising airfares, welfare demands by personnel issues since emerging from the shutdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, last year.
On its decision to shut down operations, Aero Management said, however, that the move will not affect its other businesses such as the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO), also known as Aero Training School, Helicopter and its Charter operations.
The embattled airline management said that its partners in the Spring Alliance will assist to ameliorate the impact of the suspension on its affected customers to help them reach their destinations.
“Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wish to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
“This does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.
“This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.
“We are working to bring these aircraft 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 past few months have been very challenging for the Aviation industry and the airline operators in particular. With the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are amongst the major components of airline operations.
“In the meantime, we are working assiduously to return to service as quickly as possible, and do assure our esteemed customers and stakeholders of our determination, that our short absence will not create any major void in the market, as we are coordinating with our business partners to ensure minimum discomfort to ticket holders.
“As members of Spring Alliance (a commercial alliance with member airlines providing mutual support in the area of operations), we are liaising with our partner airlines to minimise the impact on our esteemed customers. Our customer service team will be working to help affected esteemed customers reach their destinations,” the airline said.