Air passengers stranded as aviation fuel goes scarce, again

Many people wishing to travel by air across the country were left disappointed as their flights were delayed or cancelled, leaving them stranded.

The situation was brought about by the scarcity of Jet A1, otherwise known as aviation fuel.

The situation was more pronounced in places like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, with intending passengers milling around the airports, due to the change in flight plans by the airlines.

This is not the first time such situation is rearing its ugly head, but it is still not certain what could be responsible for scarcity of the product.

Industry sources however hint that it may not be unconnected with the recent bombing and vandalisation of oil pipelines by militants especially in the Niger Delta areas.

Those most affected by the situation include Arik Air, Air Peace and Aero Contractors as the airlines could not airlift their passengers to their destinations.

Spokesman of Arik Air, Mr. Ola Adebanji who confirmed the situation, said that the scarcity of the product became evident recently when oil marketers started rationing JET A1 supply to airlines.

According to him, the oil marketers attributed the rationing of the product to limited stock at the depots.

Commenting on the issue, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Centurion Securities and the former Lagos Airport Commandant, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), said that the issue of aviation scarcity and high price had been with Nigeria for a very long time.

Ojikutu recalled that the problem started in the country after the pipeline that supplies aviation fuel from Ejigbo to the airport was vandalised in 1992.
He noted that attempts to use articulated vehicles to bridge the gap brought about the high cost of the product ever since.

He explained that until the names of importers and those who got subsidy for the supply of Kerosene as aviation fuel as well as the names of owners of the fuel tankers are made known to the public, the problem would not be solved.

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