. As unions shut down flight operations in 2-day warning strike
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called off its planned withdrawal of services over astronomical rise in aviation fuel, according to a joint statement by the operators yesterday.
AON are alarmd that overtime, aviation turbine kerosene (ATK) popularly called JetA1 has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently.
This comes as aviation workers’ unions today commence a two-day warning strike to shut down the airspace over negotiated conditions of service and other issues neglected for nine years.
AON said the suspension is to enable the airlines to start fresh round of dialogue with the government with a view to resolving the current impasse.
The statement was signed by six members of the AON, including Shehu Wada, Executive Director, Max Air; Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, CEO, Arik Air; Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, CEO, Aero Contractors; Faisal Abdulmunaf, MD, Azman Air; and Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace.
The statement reads: “Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wish to inform the general public that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JET A1…
“That the AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with the government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution.
“We have also reached this decision with the highest consideration for our esteemed customers who have been faced with uncertainty over the last few days and to enable them to have access to travel to their various destinations for the time being during the period of discussions with relevant authorities.
“In view of the above and in the interest of national economy and security considerations, AON hereby wishes to notify the general public that the earlier announced shutdown of operations on May 9, 2022 is hereby suspended in good faith pending the outcome of hopefully fruitful engagement with government.”
The AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution.
Workers’ warning strike
If the workers make good their threat, all operations at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet); as well as Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), would be grounded with that of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
In a notice to staff of these agencies, the unions noted that the issues concern condition of service of NAMA, NCAA, NiMeT, and NCAT as negotiated with agencies for upwards of seven years remained with the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and the Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment, which had remained unimplemented since 2019.
The notice was jointly signed by the General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ocheme Aba; Secretary General, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Abdul Saidu; and General Secretary, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), Sikiru Waheed.
The statement reads further: “Consequently, our unions have no alternative than to embark on an industrial action to press home our demand for justice and equity, especially considering the long-suffering, patience and forbearance on the part of our members which has now reached yield point.
“Accordingly, all workers in NAMA, NCAA, NiMeT and NCAT are hereby directed to embark on a two-day warning strike on May 9 and 10, 2022. Should the warning go unheeded, an indefinite strike shall be called soon after.”
The Commission continues to monitor this sensitive and evolving situation and remains committed to supporting engagements to provide solutions and stability.
Minister, FCCPC impact
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera, had pleaded with airline operators to put national interest first.
In separate statements on Saturday, the two had urged AON to consider the effects of the proposed shutting down of operations on Nigerians and global travellers.
The Minister in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, James Odaudu, said: “We also acknowledge that the airline operators are in the business to make profits, while servicing the very critical sector that is not only the preferred mode of transport for most Nigerians, but also the main international gateway to the nation.”
He however noted that “Unfortunately, the issue of fuel supply is not within the purview of the Ministry and so the much it can do in the present situation is to engage with agencies, institutions and individuals in positions to provide succour to the airlines.”
Irukera on his part, said: “The Commission does not trivialise the disruption and potential challenge to business continuity and survivability an inordinately high cost of jet fuel presents to domestic aviation, especially coupled with other rising cost of operations and foreign exchange.
“Indeed, the Commission has been in discussion with the leadership of major fuel marketers to understand the global supply challenges and possible steps to ameliorate same.
“Accordingly, the Commission strongly advocates engagement among all stakeholders across the value chain to mitigate the current constraints and develop an acceptable interim arrangement to address problems and costs associated with global supply constraints on account of a war, sanctions associated with the war, and a fragile ongoing post pandemic recovery in aviation.”
He also assured that “The Commission continues to monitor this sensitive and evolving situation and remains committed to supporting engagements to provide solutions and stability.”
