Airlines’ operational costs jump as aviation fuel price rise to N255 from N200
Just as the Aviation industry stakeholders and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are still celebrating the acquisition of a Beechcraft Super King Air 350 (B350) for the calibration of navigational aids at airports nationwide, indications are rife that air fares may begin to rise on domestic routes as aviation fuel scarcity bites harder.
Experts say the new aircraft will among others, ends the era of hiring such plane every six months at the cost of N152.5 million ($500,000) meaning that Nigeria will begin to save about N305m annually following the procurement.
However, it was not the same level of excitement as the scarcity of Jet A1 is crippling aviation activities for some days now with impacts observed in cancelled flights and so many delays at airports.
Already, many local operators are considering increasing air fare in view of the scarcity as part of efforts to remain in business.
Fact checks by our correspondents on Tuesday showed that aviation fuel commonly called Jet A,1 had gone up from N200 to about N220 – N255 per litter since recently and efforts of dealers’ in resolving the crisis seem not to be producing the needed results as the scarcity is persisting and spreading across all airports.
