Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited (ACN), known as Aero Contractors, has announced the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger service operations with effect from July 20, 2022.
The Lagos based-airline attributes its temporary halt to ongoing fleet maintenance.
“This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our [aircraft] are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers,” the airline said in a statement published on Twitter.
The airline expects to bring back its fleet to service in “the next few weeks”, according to the statement.
— Aero Contractors (@flyaero) July 18, 2022
Aero Contractors mentions the challenges facing the industry which have impacted “major components of airlines operations” and the operating environment within Nigeria.
“The past few months have been very challenging for the aviation industry and the airline operators in particular. With the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates,” the airline said.
However, the airline is looking to lean on its membership in the Spring Alliance to abate disruptions being experienced by its passengers, according to the statement.
The Spring Alliance was formed in March 2022 when six Nigerian airlines — Air Peace, Arik Air, Azman Air, Aero Contractors, United Nigeria, and Max Air — came together to form the association.
The motive behind the alliance is to put aside domestic rivalries and give passengers access to a better service, while allowing for increased efficiency and wider operational capabilities for the airlines themselves, according to airline leaders as reported by Nigeria’s The Guardian.
Nigerian airlines have been battling with high fuel prices which were intensified by the conditions resulting from the Ukraine crisis.
On May 6, 2022, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wrote a letter to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority stating that its member airlines would halt operations across Nigeria over exorbitant fuel prices.
The AON agreed to temporarily suspend plans to ground flights following discussions with Nigerian government officials.
AON’s member airlines consist of Max Air, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Overland Airways, Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, Azman Air and Dana Air.