Nigeria spends $20m on Aviation fuel from neighboring countries

With more revelations emerging on why most airline operators are having their flights delayed or cancelled, the sector now spends an average of $20 million sourcing Aviation fuel, Jet 1 from the neighbouring countries.

Primary among the factors responsible for the scarcity of the product is disagreement between the oil marketers and managements of local airline operators, which came to the fore, a fortnight ago, said a source.

The Executive Director of Operations,  Medview Airlines, Mr. Lookman Animashuan, confirmed that the disparity in cost of aviation fuel, in various parts of the country is largely responsible for its current scarcity.

Read also:  Air passengers stranded as aviation fuel goes scarce, again

For instance, while the product sells for N180 per litre in Lagos, it goes for between N196 and N200 in Abuja, Kano nd Port Harcourt, whereas it is known  that Jet-A1 is cheaper to import than Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

 

Also, the preference of the marketers to have the fuel in areas where they are sold higher and less in Lagos is also fingered as a militating factor responsible for cancellation of or rescheduling of flights, especially the ones from Lagos, amounting to about 45 percent loss in operation.

Also, Arik Air spokesman, Mr. Adebanji Ola, disclosed that the airline operates an average of 120 daily flights, requiring about 500,000 liters of fuel daily adding that its domestic and international flights have been affected by the oil marketers’ manipulation in supply.

“This has forced us to postpone flights while waiting for the fuel marketers to source and deliver the product. On many occasions, despite all efforts in engaging the marketers if fuel could not be sourced, the flights may eventually be cancelled causing not only revenue loss for the airline but also inconveniencing or stranding the passengers,” he said.

While government officials said the issue is being addressed, the NCAA has directed airline operators to schedule flight that they can operate until normalcy returns.

 

 

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