Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has attributed the recent disruptions in its flight operations to the ongoing aviation fuel scarcity across the country, appealing to passengers for understanding as efforts are intensified to stabilise services.
The airline, in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, said the shortage of Jet A1 fuel had significantly affected its scheduling and operational efficiency, leading to delays and, in some cases, rescheduling of flights.
Spokesperson of the airline, Mr Stanley Olisa, explained that the situation was not peculiar to Air Peace but a systemic challenge currently affecting the aviation sector nationwide.
He noted that the fluctuating availability and high cost of aviation fuel had made it difficult for airlines to maintain seamless operations, despite their commitment to delivering safe and timely services.
“The current disruptions in our flight operations are largely due to the scarcity of Jet A1 fuel being experienced across the country. This has impacted our ability to operate flights as scheduled,” Olisa said.
He added that the airline was working round the clock with fuel suppliers and relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact on passengers and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
Olisa emphasised that safety remained the airline’s top priority, stressing that no flight would be operated under conditions that could compromise operational standards.
The airline urged passengers to remain patient and cooperative, assuring them that updates on flight schedules would be communicated promptly through its official channels.
Some passengers who spoke with the Source at the Murtala Muhammed Airport expressed frustration over delays but acknowledged the broader challenges facing the aviation industry.
A traveller, Mrs Ifeoma Nwoye, said she had experienced a delay of over four hours, calling for better communication from airlines during such disruptions.
Another passenger, Mr Sadiq Bello, urged the Federal Government to urgently address the recurring fuel supply issues to prevent further inconvenience to travellers.
Industry analysts say the recurring scarcity of Jet A1 fuel has remained a major challenge for domestic airlines, often leading to increased airfares, operational disruptions and financial strain on operators.
They called for strategic interventions, including improved local refining capacity and policy support, to ensure a steady supply of aviation fuel in Nigeria.
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence, reiterating that all necessary measures were being taken to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
