Nigerian airlines call off plans to suspend flights over fuel price hike

Dhaka: Nigeria's airlines have called off a plan to suspend domestic flights from May 9 in retaliation of the spiraling cost of jet fuel.

The jet fuel price has risen almost fourfold in 2022, unsustainably, said the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). According to reports, the price hike follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February end.

However, as per latest reports, Nigerian airlines said flights will now continue as negotiations with the government are progressing. AON claimed, it had been given some assurances by the government.

Earlier, on May 6, the airlines of Nigeria announced plans to suspend domestic flights in a protest to the jet fuel price hike. Then the carriers came under pressure from the government, consumer protection bodies and customers to call it off.

The latest development comes as a relief to thousands of air travellers whose plans could have been disrupted if domestic flights were suspended.

AON, which represents the country’s nine domestic airlines, are complaining to subsidise their services over the last four months over the price hike of jet fuel.

According to reports, the country saw many flight cancellations and delays since March, often blamed on shortage of jet fuel. Airfare has also tripled on some routes in recent weeks across the country.