Aero Contractors Suspends Flight Operations Indefinitely Over Inclement Operating Conditions
Aero Contractors, the oldest domestic airline in Nigeria has said that
it will suspend flight operations indefinitely with effect from
Wednesday, July 20, 2022,
The airline which has been struggling to survive attributed the
planned suspension to inclement operating conditions in the country.
Recalled that the Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON), Vice President
and Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister, Allen Onyema had earlier raised
alarm that three airlines may go under if the issue of skyrocketing
aviation field, inability to access Foreign Exchange (FOREX) by
airlines and other critical issues are not addressed by the Federal
Government.
The airline said that suspension does not affect Aero’s 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.”
Continuing, the airline management said, “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
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