The Senate through its Committee on Aviation, had an emergency meeting with Airline Operators of Nigeria on Tuesday over threat to down tools on Friday, as a result of high cost of Aviation fuel
The Airline Operators had on Monday met with the Leadership of the House of Representatives, threating to halt operations, if the cost of Aviation fuel is not brought down to N400 per litre as against the N670 current price.
Twenty-four hours after, the Airline Operators of Nigeria led by their Chairman, Abdulmunaf Yunusa met with the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Smart Adeyemi, re-echoing their stand that if nothing is done to save the situation , Airline Operators will withdraw their services by Friday.
The Chairman, United Nigeria Airline, Obiora Okonkwo in his contribution said the airline operators can no longer cope with the high cost of operations worsened by increase in Aviation fuel.
According to him, based on the cost component of Airline operation in Nigeria today, actual price for ticket of one-hour flight is N150,000 which is subsidized to N50,000 per passenger.
He added that the operators cannot continue with the subsidized rates in order to save their businesses.
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Chairman Senate committee on Aviation Senator smart Adeyemi appealed to the Airline Operators to give the National Assembly few days to address the situation through interface with the Federal Government.
He assured that the concerns raised by his members will be deliberated on the floor of the Senate during plenary on Wednesday for a proposed bail out.
Senator Adeyemi further added that the lawmakers will ensure that the federal Government assist the sector with the required palliative.
After several appeals, the airline operator Chairman resolved to consult with his colleagues on next line of action.
Also at the meeting were representatives of the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo , Secretary Airline Operators, Zamani Solomon among others.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
