The management of Ibom Airline has said that it would not obey order to stop operations by Airline Operators of Nigeria billed to commence on Monday 9th May 2022 as a result of the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria The Trumpet gathered.
In a statement made available to our Correspondent in Uyo on Saturday, management of the Ibom Airline disclosed that suspension of flights will provoke litigation, avoidable disappointment to customers who have already booked their flights as well as frustration to numerous stakeholders who depend on them as the only Airline that serves the state.
“Ibom Air acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria. We agree that this out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.”
” However, every airline has its unique business model and pressures. We believe that in spite of the escalating fuel prices, airlines volunteering to stop operations would rather exacerbate an already bad situation.”
“Ibom Air has financial obligations to suppliers, financiers and staff, which depend on an uninterrupted flow of revenue to service. More importantly is the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for, to avoid exposing the airline to the risk of avoidable litigation.”
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It explained that the Airline is the only one serving the state directly and cannot afford to stop operations as such stoppage would completely cut off access by air in and out of the state.
The management observed that
such action would be directly in conflict and detrimental to the interest of shareholders.
“In view of the foregoing facts, Ibom Air had respectfully disagreed with the decision of Airline Operators of Nigeria to suspend flight operations on Monday 09 May 2022. ”
It, therefore, declared its commitment to partner with Airlines Operators of Nigeria to resolve and secure a sustainable fuel pricing regime for the airlines.
