Ibom Air break ranks, declines not service withdrawal

Ibom Airlines Limited (Ibom Air) has disclosed that it would not take part in the withdrawal of services by many airlines next in spite of admitting the excruciating difficulty in sourcing aviation fuel at exorbitant costs which to it is not sustainable for the airline business.

The carrier attributed its reasons not to shut down services because of its financial obligations to suppliers, financiers, and workers who depend on an uninterrupted flow of revenue to service

More importantly, the management said s the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for, to avoid exposing the airline to the risk of avoidable litigation.

“Ibom Air acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria. We agree that this out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.

“However, every airline has its unique business model and pressures. We believe that in spite of the escalating fuel prices, airlines volunteering to stop operations would rather exacerbate an already bad situation”.

“Ibom Air has financial obligations to suppliers, financiers, and staff, which depend on an uninterrupted flow of revenue to service.

“More importantly is the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for, to avoid exposing the airline to the risk of avoidable litigation”.

undated with inquiries about what will happen on  May 9, 2022, following the public statement issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Executive on May 6, 2022, and it has become necessary for us to make the following clarifications:

It noted that apart from the above factors, Ibom Air is currently the only airline serving Akwa Ibom State directly and as such, any voluntary stoppage of operations would completely cut off access by air into and out of the State.

It said it would continue normal operations on Monday 09 May 2022 and beyond. Ibom Air’s inclusion as “signatory” to the statement released by AON must have derived from its active and committed member of the AON*

 Notwithstanding, he stated that they identify very strongly with our AON colleagues and will participate in every effort to resolve this frightening situation as soon as possible in the interest of our business, our customers, our stakeholders, and our country.