Aviation Fuel: Flight Operations Resume in Abuja

Normal flight operations have returned to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following the improvement in the supply of JET A1 otherwise known as aviation fuel.

Recall that domestic flights in the country suffered major setbacks in the past weeks following the short supply of the product.

Many airlines were faced with multiple cancellations and delays thereby subjecting passengers to difficulties.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the Deputy General Manager, Public Affair, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), told News Agency of Nigeria that there was improvement in the flight operations following the improved supply of aviation fuel.

Yakubu said many airlines that could not fly in the last two weeks had resumed operations while the level of delays and cancellations had also reduced.

She said that passengers could now travel on schedule unlike the situation during the period of scarcity where many of them were left stranded at the airport.

“There is a great improvement in flight operations this week unlike the situation in the past two weeks.

“Flights are flying on schedule with minimal cases of delay and cancellation because there is improvement in the supply of JET A1 now,’’ she said.

Similarly, Mr Abdullahi Saroke, the Deputy Station Manager, Azman Airline, said that the level of supply of aviation fuel had improved compared to what airliners experienced during the previous week.

Saroke said the airline had been having normal flight operations with minimal cases of delay.

He said that whatever delay or cancellations any airline might be experiencing currently could not be attributed to the scarcity.

Saroke, while commending the authorities for addressing the situation, urged the government to ensure that the situation did not repeat itself in the aviation industry.

“The flight operation is normal now because we are no longer having delays often again except for technical factors that are beyond our control.

“I must commend the Federal Government for addressing the issue and I want to plead with the government to ensure that aviation fuel scarcity does not occur again,’’ Saroke said.