Recent disruptions that stranded passengers, particularly in Abuja, have been linked to debts airline operators owe fuel marketers, even as operators lament the rising cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel.
Passengers who bought Air Peace tickets last Friday spent the night at the Abuja airport following flight cancellations and delays.
According to The PUNCH, ABNTV reports that on Friday alone, Lagos, Maiduguri and Asaba-bound passengers remained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport as the airline delayed boarding for several hours and cancelled a number of flights.
Passengers who spoke with our correspondent claimed that the airline had failed to provide reasons for the disruptions.
Our correspondent gathered that Lagos-bound passengers scheduled to take off from Abuja at about 4:00 pm, as well as another set scheduled to depart earlier, remained at the airport until late that night.
While Lagos-bound passengers left the same night, Asaba- and Maiduguri-bound passengers spent the night at the airport, leading to a series of protests within the aerodrome.
Meanwhile, an airport source who refused to give her name for fear of reprimand had told our correspondent at the time that the passengers might still be airlifted before midnight to avoid disruptions to Sunday’s operations.
The source said, “Truly, many passengers sat helplessly at the airport. I learnt from the workers that it was a fuel-related issue, but only the airline can really explain what happened.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, told our correspondent that he gathered that the airline had been speaking with the passengers as events unfolded. He confirmed that issues relating to a lack of fuel had grounded the airline’s aircraft.
Achimugu did not, however, provide further information on why the airline was experiencing a shortage of fuel.
Achimugu said, “Yes, my CPOs have reported to me that the airline has been unable to fly the passengers because of fuel-related issues. I also learnt they have been updating the passengers, but you know when passengers get angry, they may not even listen to whatever information they are being provided with.”
When asked what exactly the issue was, he said, “What my CPOs told me is what I have told you. When we have more information, we will let you know.”
Efforts to speak with the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, were unsuccessful. He neither picked up his calls nor responded to text messages seeking clarification at the time.
Also, in a statement by the airline, Air Peace said the delay was caused by the unavailability of Jet A1 aviation fuel. Air Peace added that the fuel shortage also affected other airlines.
The Air Peace statement read partly, “The initial delays to our Abuja operations were occasioned by the unavailability of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which affected Air Peace and other airlines operating from the Abuja airport. Upon the availability of fuel, our affected flights commenced operations accordingly.
“However, our Abuja-Maiduguri service could not subsequently operate as planned because the tower in Maiduguri, which had given an extension for our flight to come in, later came back, as at the time of our calling for boarding, to state that the airport had become VFR and would no longer fly beyond sunset.”
While apologising to passengers, Air Peace added, “Throughout the disruption, passengers were duly informed of the delays and provided with refreshments. Following the cancellation, affected Maiduguri passengers were also provided with hotel accommodation, with arrangements made to operate the flight the following day.
