Ibom air pulls out of Monday Shut down by airlines

Ebun Francis| Ibom Airlines on Saturday said it will not join the planned shutdown of flights announced by the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON).

The AON had on Friday said its members would suspend flight services on Monday due to the unbearable high cost of aviation fuel (JetA1) and other associated costs.

But in a statement, Ibom Airlines said obligations to its customers, suppliers, and staff, would not allow it participate in the shutdown.

“Apart from the above factors, Ibom Air is currently the only airline serving Akwa Ibom State directly and as such, any voluntary stoppage of operations would completely cut off access by air into and out of the State,” the statement added.

“Such action would be directly in conflict with and detrimental to the interest of our shareholder.”

The Ministry of Aviation had on Saturday appealed to the local airline operators to reconsider their decision to suspend services.