 |
Aero Contractors Airlines, Nigeria’s second largest commercial carrier, is suspending indefinitely, its scheduled services beginning from Thursday September 1, 2016.
Confirming this in a statement signed by the carrier’s management on
Wednesday, Aero stated that the suspension was part of the strategic
business realignment to reposition the airline and return it to
profitability.
It stated that this “business decision”, which is a result of the
current economic situation in the country, had forced some other
airlines to suspend operations or pull out of Nigeria.
The management of the carrier said the airline had faced grave
challenges in the past six months which impacted its business and by
extension the scheduled services operations.
These factors, according to Aero, are both internal and external
environmental factors that have made it difficult for it to continue its
scheduled services.
It stated that during the period in review, Aero witnessed epileptic
operations and services to the external public that were caused by
non-alignment of fundamental issue of the business, which in some cases
had been frustrating and embarrassing to all parties including staff,
customers and indeed all stakeholders.
As part of its resolve to ensure the airline survived unlike most
other carriers that experienced short life span in the country, AMCON
had appointed Mr. Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN as Receiver Manager in February
6, 2016, with the aim of turning the airline around.
Since AMCON’s intervention in Aero Contractors in 2011, it had
provided support for the airline to meet working capital requirements
and fleet expansion.
These were to ensure the airline remains a going concern providing services to various clients and the general public.
But the airline noted that unfortunately, the operating environment
within and outside the Aero had hindered any possible progress
especially in the last six months when the naira depreciated against the
dollar thus making it impossible for the airline to achieve its
operational targets.
It started that with these realities coupled with protracted
engagements with all relevant stakeholders, the management strenuously
reviewed and assessed options and opportunities on ensuring viability,
safety and sustainability of operations during the period with a lot of
sacrifices.
The airline said, “The impact of the external environment has been
very harsh on our operational performance, hence management decision to
suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective September
1, 2016, pending when the external opportunities and a robust
sustainable and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to
recommence its scheduled services.
“The implication of the suspension of scheduled services operations
extends to all staffs directly and indirectly involved in providing
services as they are effectively to proceed on indefinite leave of
absence during the period of non-services.
It added, “We are aware of the impact this will have on our staff and
our highly esteemed customers, hence we have initiated moves to ensure
that we are able to return back to operations within the shortest
possible time, offering reliable, safe and secure operations, which the
airline is known for.”
About Ezems
0 comments:
Post a Comment
PLEASE BE POLITE