Local airlines in Nigeria, under the auspices of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have said that bad weather is responsible for most of the delays and flight cancellations witnessed by customers, and have also cost them 60 per cent loss in their operations.
Vice Chairman of the AON, Allen Onyema, stated this at the reception of Air Peace airline’s fourth brand new Embraer 195-E2 jet, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Onyema who was in company with other members of the association, said the airlines didn’t take their customers for granted, as every delay is a huge operational and economic loss to the operator.
“No airline delays or cancels flights deliberately. The situation we are having now is partly due to the COVID-19 disruption and also the current rainy season. I have 21 aircraft lying down because Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities are shut due to coronavirus.
“Weather is also hitting us very badly. As an airline, safety is very key and cannot be compromised. Every delay is a loss in revenue and disruption of the entire network. No one likes it. But this is the season of rain and thunderstorms, which affects airlines’ operations by about 60 per cent,” he said.
He, however, said that the addition of another new aircraft would boost capacity and bring comfort to passengers.
The mid-range equipment is the fourth of 13 expected from Embraer in Brazil, with another 17 aircraft likely to follow the firm’s order.
Onyema, who is also the Chairman of Air Peace, said the addition was a milestone for the local sector. He said though the venture is huge, nothing compares with new aircraft in terms of economic, comfort and safety benefits.
Director General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, also described the arrival of the brand new aircraft as a milestone and a paradigm shift for the industry.
Nuhu commended Air Peace chairman not just for investing in a new aircraft, but picking the right type for the market.
