Air passengers stranded as aviation fuel scarcity worsens

Hundreds of air travellers across the country were on Sunday and yesterday stranded at various airports across the country following the scarcity of Jet A1, otherwise known as aviation fuel in local parlance. Badly affected was the flight operations of Aero Contractors, which could not carry out most of its flight operations on Sunday while early morning operations of yesterday were partially affected. A statement issued in Lagos by the media consultant to the airline, Mr. Simon Tumba, said the airline was experiencing fuel scarcity as its contract fuel suppliers were unable to supply fuel to it.

The statement hinted that other suppliers contacted by the airline were also unable to supply fuel to it due to scarcity of the product in the country. He however hinted that the management was taking appropriate measures to address “this issue as soon as possible by engaging other suppliers to ensure smooth, safe and secure flight operations for our customers. “Aero wishes to apologise to its dearest customers over the delay and cancellation of flight operations last night (Sunday) and this morning (Monday).” Aviation fuel accounts for the largest operating expense of airlines, amounting in recent years in Nigeria to about 40 per cent of airlines’ current operating cost.

The sharp drop in oil prices and stronger global economic growth bolster airline profits by as much as 26 per cent in 2015. The scarcity of Jet A1 in the local market had been on for over three months and this had prompted some of the indigenous airlines to purchase the product at cheaper rates in neighbouring African countries especially Ghana.

At present, its price fluctuates between N162 and N165 , depending on the quantity and the airport such an airline is buying from. Just recently, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, revealed that the nation’s refineries would soon start producing aviation fuel. Kachikwu admitted that the scarcity of the product has been affecting smooth operations in the aviation industry, forcing some airlines to purchase Jet A1 from neighbouring countries at an added cost. Chief executive officer, Centurion Securities who is a former Lagos Airport Commandant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), emphasised that the issue of aviation scarcity and high price has been with Nigeria for a long time. Ojikutu recalled that the problem started in the country after the pipeline that supplies aviation fuel from Ejigbo to the airport was vandalised in 1992.

He noted that attempts to use articulated vehicles to bridge the gap brought about the high cost of the product ever since. He explained when the names of importers and those who got subsidy for the supply of Kerosene as aviation fuel as well as the names of owners of the fuel tankers are made known to the public, the problem would be solved.