By Sade Williams
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body for all domestic airlines, on Thursday, debunked allegations that Nigerian airlines were blacklisted over refusal to pay lessors’ fees.
It also alleged that two airlines, Air Peace and Azman Air were victims of fraud by some lessors, to the tune of $3million.
The AON in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo is reacting to a report published by a national daily on Wednesday, titled: ’13 Nigerian Airlines Blacklisted for Contract Breaches’.
The report had claimed that 13 airlines, including Aero Contractors, Air Peace, Arik, Azman, Dana, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Max Air, United Nigeria Airline, and Valuejet, were blacklisted for refusing to pay lessor fees.
But the AON frowned at the report, describing it as ‘entirely false, malicious and defamatory.’
“We want to state that Nigerian airlines have consistently worked very hard to meet their contractual obligations with lessors despite operating within a challenging business environment. It is also a well-known fact that the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, since assuming office, acknowledged the challenges domestic operators face and has made concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for us to operate.
“For the public’s information, two of the airlines mentioned – Air Peace and Azman – have themselves been victims of fraud by lessors, incurring losses exceeding $3 million.”
“Despite these setbacks, domestic airlines have remained committed to serving the Nigerian public and contributing to National Economic development.
“We find the publication of such inaccuracies very disheartening. We see it as a calculated attempt to erode confidence and to destroy the aviation industry.”, the AON said.
