Aero
Contractors Airlines on Wednesday said that it would suspend all its scheduled
services indefinitely from Thursday Sept. 1.
The
airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Fola Akinkuotu, said in a statement in Lagos
that the management decision was part of the strategic business realignment to
reposition the airline and return it to the path of profitability.
He said
all staff directly and indirectly involved in providing the services, would
also proceed on indefinite leave of absence.
“This
business decision is as a result of the current economic situation in the
country, which has forced some other airlines to suspend operation or outrightly
pull out of Nigeria.
“In the
case of Aero, the airline has faced grave challenges in the past six months,
which impacted its business and by extension the scheduled services
operations,’’ he said.
Mr.
Akinkuotu said the impact of the external environment had been very harsh on
the airline’s operational performance, hence the management’s decision to
suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective Sept.1, 2016.
“This
suspension is pending when the external opportunities and a robust sustainable
and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to recommence its scheduled
services.
“The
implication of the suspension of scheduled services operations extends to all
staff directly and indirectly involved in providing services, as they are effectively
to proceed on indefinite leave of absence during the period of non-services.
“We are
aware of the impact this will have on our staff and our highly esteemed
customers, hence we have initiated moves to ensure that we are able to return
back to operations within the shortest possible time, offering reliable, safe
and secure operations,’’ he said.
Mr.
Akinkuotu said that both internal and external environmental factors had made
it difficult for the airline to continue its scheduled services, leading to the
management’s decision.
He
recalled that, as part of its resolve to ensure the airline survived, unlike
most other carriers that experienced short life span in the country, Asset
Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had appointed Adeniyi Adegbomire as
Receiver Manager in Feb. 6, 2016.
Mr.
Akinkuotu also noted that since AMCON’s intervention in Aero Contractors in
2011, it had provided support for the airline to meet working capital
requirements and fleet expansion.
When NAN
correspondent visited the airline’s counter on Wednesday, the ticket counters
at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal (MMA2) were empty. (NAN)
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