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HomeNewsNigerian airlines shut down operations over virus

Nigerian airlines shut down operations over virus

Foreign airlines were the first to feel the pang of COVID-19, which has led to over 70 per cut in their operations.

While it lasted, Nigerian domestic airlines operated in what looked like they were immuned to the pandemic sweeping across the globe.

With demand down, the carriers have had to take the losses on the nose by embarking on ghost flights as they elect to fly near empty planes to their destinations – rather than cancelling the flight – in order to avoid losing their schedule.

Yesterday, all Nigerian carriers were faced with the reality of Coronavirus as they announced suspension of their operations.

Arik Air, Dana, Azman, Aero Contractors, Ibom Air, Air Peace have all suspended their services for two weeks.

The suspension could well be extended beyond two weeks if the spread of the pandemic continues.

Arik Air, in a statement, announced a temporary suspension of all scheduled commercial flight operations effective 23:00hrs on Friday, March 27, 2020.

The management of the airline took this decision in order to mitigate the risk of spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to its valued customers and staff, and hopes to resume services as soon as feasible.

Customers, who have confirmed tickets, were advised that they could still use their tickets when the airline resumes flight operations. Such tickets could also be modified at no extra charge.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, stressed: “The safety and well-being of our valued customers is paramount at this period of health emergency. We implore everyone to keep safe and abide by all directives issued by government authorities.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this suspension may have caused our customers.”

Ilegbodu added that Arik Air would be available to support government emergency, humanitarian and charter flight requests during the period of suspension of air transport operation.

Aero Contractors, on its part, said it was suspending fight operations for two weeks effective Thursday, March 26, 2020.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said the airline would review the progress to contain the virus at the expiration of the two weeks before it would resume operations.

Sanusi said the suspension of all its flight was in support of initiatives and precaution to ensure that there was no community infection in the country.

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He said: “This is also in line with the decision of the Lagos State Government, which has prohibited any gathering that is more than 20 persons.

“Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is a global threat to our humanity and considering its devastating effect on many countries where it has led to death of thousands of people, we therefore crave the understanding of our esteemed customers to recognise our decision as a responsible corporate citizen and our support for full government effort to protect our citizens.”

Sanusi said the airline had also taken care of all the future schedule of its customers.

He said the airline would ensure that those who had booked flights with it would be taken to their destinations in its usual safe and efficient service.

The airline, in a memo issued by its Commercial Manager, Mr. Rogers Cookey to the staff, however, noted that the airline would operate scheduled flights as usual till midnight on Wednesday March 25.

Dana, in a message sent to its customers, said: “In line with the precautionary measures by the Lagos State Government to stem the spread of the COVID-19, kindly note that all our flight operations will be suspended effective Wednesday March 25, 2020 for two weeks.”

Air Peace said its flight suspension would last for 23 days.

“It is with a great sense of responsibility that we have decided, in the best interest of our nation, our passengers and workforce, to suspend scheduled flight operations for 23 days effective 23.00hrs on Friday (an hour before midnight on Friday) March 27, 2020, as a result of the COVlD-19 pandemic.

“This difficult decision was reached in order to support the efforts of the Federal Government and other stakeholders in curbing the spread of this virus in our nation, while also protecting our esteemed passengers and staff from becoming victims of the pandemic,” the notice read.

In the same vein, Ibom Air said that with its planned cut down of capacity, it intends to accommodate all its already booked passengers on any of its affected flights.

The announcement made on the airline’s official twitter handle read: “Beginning from Wednesday March 25, Ibom Air will operate at only 64 per cent of its schedule capacity, cutting out 36 per cent of its flight.

“This is in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly reduced domestic passenger demand. The airline commits to accommodate every passenger who is already booked on any flight affected by this schedule change on other Ibom Air flight of their choice.

“While looking forward, along with Nigerians, to the end of this pandemic and a return to our full capacity, Ibom Air promises to continue deliver its schedule reliably, on-time departures.”

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