Chinedu Eze
Nigeria’s major carrier, Arik Air, has alerted passengers of worsening aviation fuel scarcity across the country.
According to the airline, the aviation fuel scarcity started manifesting last week when major oil marketers began to ration supply of the product to airlines.
“One of the marketers issued a notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Saturday alerting of non-availability of the product in Lagos. Another marketer said it was running out of product in Lagos with limited supplies in Port Harcourt and Abuja, the airline said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Adebanji Ola.
Arik said this development has started taking its toll on the airline due to its large scale operations, with flights being delayed across the country and in some cases cancelled especially for airports without airfield lighting.
“With a daily fuel need of about 500,000 litres and an average of over 100 daily flights, Arik Air is mostly affected by this scarcity which is the fourth this year alone. One of the airline’s flights to Johannesburg on Tuesday had to be routed via Port Harcourt to pick up fuel,” Arik said.
As a result of the worsening supply situation of the aviation fuel, Arik Air has announced further reduction in flights from yesterday to cope with the fresh scarcity, and reduce the unpleasant delays and cancellations which passengers have experienced in recent times.
It has also appealed for the understanding of its valued customers whose flights are likely to be affected by the scarcity and scaling down of operations.
“Where flights are to be delayed or cancelled as a result of the scarcity, Arik Air will be sending text or e-mail messages to passengers. Passengers are also advised to call the airline’s call centre on 01 2799999 or 08077791683 for enquiries about their flights,” the airline also said.
