Although, AON claimed it acceded to the calls from government to suspend the plan, however, about four airlines had already pulled out of the Flights Cessation plan.

In a statement on Sunday evening,  AON said that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, the Association has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being “while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution”. 

The statement jointly signed by Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the AON President; Alhaji Shehu Wada – Executive Director, Max Air; Dr. Obiora Okonkwo – Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Roy Ilegbodu – CEO, Arik Air; Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood – CEO, Aero Contractors; Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf – MD, Azman Air and Barr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace, reads:

“We have also reached this decision with the highest consideration for our esteemed customers who have been faced with uncertainty over the last few days and to enable them to have access to travel to their various destinations for the time being during the period of discussions with relevant authorities. 

“In view of the above and in the interest of national economy and security considerations, AON hereby wishes to notify the general public that the earlier announced shutdown of operations on May 9, 2022 is hereby suspended in good fate pending the outcome of hopefully fruitful engagement with government”.

AON, Friday, announced the shutdown of operations, with effect from Monday May 09, 2022, over the skyrocketing cost of Aviation fuel, which has reached an all-time high of N700 per litre.

Aero Contractors had issued this statement on Saturday in solidarity to AON.

But in the airlines backtracked on Sunday. Arik Air and Aero Contractors issued notification to the traveling public, agreeing they will be operating all their scheduled flights on Monday, May 9, 2022.

“Both managements fully identify with and endorse the efforts of the Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON ) to bring about a conducive operating environment for Nigerian carriers as the current price of JET A1 is unsustainable and could result in the untimely demise of most airlines.

“However, we have assurances that the government is looking at the issues raised by the AON and will come up with a decision that will be in the best interest of the industry and the traveling public.

“Passengers who are booked to travel on both Arik Air and Aero Contractors tomorrow and beyond should proceed to their airports of departure to board”, the statement reads.

Recall that Ibom Airlines Limited (Ibom Air) had issued similar statement on Saturday, announcing that they will not participate in the proposed strike.

Ibom Air, a public statement said, the airlines acknowledges the existential threat that the runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria, however “every airline has its unique business model and pressures”.