July 18, (THEWILL) – The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body for all domestic airlines, on Thursday, said two of its members, Air Peace and Azman, have been victims of fraud by lessors, incurring losses exceeding $3 million.
The airline operators also debunked allegations that Nigerian airlines were blacklisted over refusal to pay lessors’ fees.
The AON, in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, was 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 lessors’ fees.
The AON, however, 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 destroy the aviation industry.
“We demand an immediate retraction of the report and apology. In the absence of a satisfactory response, we may be forced to file a complaint with relevant media oversight bodies, take legal action or both to protect our reputation.” the AON said.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
