By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA (Reuters), a Nigerian airline, Ibom Air, said Saturday that it would not participate in an industry-wide plan to suspend flights starting Monday due to the high price of jet fuel. It claimed the decision would impact revenues required to pay suppliers and financiers.

According to the Airline Operators of Nigeria Association, members of local flight will be canceled starting Monday and continuing until further notice.

Ibom Air (one of the smaller airlines in the nine-member airline association) is the first one to declare that it will not take part in grounding flights.

According to the association, jet fuel prices have risen from 190 Nigerian naira to 700 naira per litre over a short time to $1.69 per litre. The cost for a 1-hour flight has increased more than twice to $120,000 which it claimed was unacceptable.

Ibom Air was backed by Akwa Ibom, but high fuel prices pose a danger. However, stopping operations would only exacerbate the problem due to obligations, and customers who have already paid for their flights in advance.

Ibom Air placed a firm order in November for 10 Airbus A220 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow.

According to the aviation ministry, Saturday’s problems and spiralling air fares were a concern. However, it appealed for airlines to take into account the impact of an airline shutdown on travellers at home as well as abroad.

The government provided financial aid to help deflect a threat from the association that it would stop flying due to high prices.

Air Peace in Nigeria, the country’s largest carrier, is warning of disruptions to flights due to fuel shortages.

($1 = 414.6900 naira)