Avation Fuel Scarcity Leaves Passengers Stranded In Abuja

Scarcity of Jet-A1 also known as aviation fuel has left some passengers stranded at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.

Gatekeepers News earlier reported that Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warned about the disruption of scheduled flight operations over the growing scarcity of Jet-A1.

Airline operators had further complained about the rising cost of aviation fuel and threatened to shut down operations.

On Friday, a passenger of Overland airline, who simply identified himself as Andrew explained that he intended to fly inboard Jalingo, Taraba state, together with four of his colleagues, but his flight was delayed for “operational reasons”.

Andrew said his flight was scheduled for 10 am, but passengers were called after about an hour.

Another passenger who is a journalist told TheCable his flight was also delayed for more than one hour.

“I was flying from Abuja to Akure to cover the Osun election. I was there from 9 am to originally board by 10.15 am,” he said, adding that he finally boarded the plane by 11.39 am.

Another passenger, who was supposed to board Owerri through United Nigeria Airlines by 10 am, said his flight was also delayed for two hours.

A source at the airport who preferred anonymity revealed that the postponement was caused by the unavailability of aviation fuel.

The Assistant General Manager, corporate affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Faithful Hope-Ivbaze could not be immediately reached for comments.