AERO CONTRACTORS

Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest flight operator, has temporarily suspended flight operations due to what it has described as harsh operating environment.

The suspension, according to a statement by the airline, takes effect from tomorrow, Wednesday, July 20,2022

The statement, however, explained that the airline’s maintenance facility, AeroMRO; Aero Training School, helicopter and charter service will not be affected.

Aero said the decision to suspend scheduled flights temporarily was carefully considered as most of the airline’s aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance.

The development, the management said, resulted in its inability to offer ”a seamless and efficient service to passengers.

The management assured its ticket holders that it was liaising with its partner airlines to “minimise the impact of the temporary suspension.”

Apologising for “any inconvenience” caused by the suspension, Aero assured the ticket holders that its service team would be on standby to help them reach their destinations.

The statement reads: “Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wishes to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger service operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.

“The past few months have been very challenging for the Aviation Industry and the airline operators in particular.

“High cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates are affecting our operations. These are among the major components of airline operations.

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“In the meantime, we are working assiduously to return to service as quickly as possible, and do assure our esteemed customers and stakeholders of our determination, that our short absence will not create any major void in the market, as we are coordinating with our business partners to ensure minimum discomfort to ticket holders.

“As members of Spring Alliance, a commercial alliance with member airlines providing mutual support in the area of operations, we are liaising with our partner airlines to minimise the impact on our esteemed customers. Our customer service team will be working to help affected esteemed customers reach their destinations.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our esteemed customers and promise to return to service as soon as possible.

“We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding at this time.”

On May 6, 2022, Aero Contractors, said it was not planning to shut down operations, clarifying a report on the state of the airline.

There were reports that the airline was cash-strapped and might soon go out of business.

Source: The Nation