Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, has announced the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

According to the management of the airline, the suspension does not affect its other businesses, namely  the Approved Maintenance Organisation otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation also known as Aero Training School, and the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

Aero, in a statement announcing the suspension of operations, said, “Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wish to  announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

“This does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation  also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

“This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers. We are working to bring these aircrafts back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”

The airline said the development came amid a tough operating environment, lack of access to foreign exchange, skyrocketing aviation fuel price and others.

It added, “The past few months have been very challenging for the Aviation industry and the airline operators in particular. With the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are amongst the major components of airline operations.

“In the meantime, we are working assiduously to return to service as quickly as possible, and do assure our esteemed customers and stakeholders of our determination, that our short absence will not create any major void in the market, as we are coordinating with our business partners to ensure minimum discomfort to ticket holders.”

The announcement came over a month after the Airline Operators of Nigeria said three of its members might cease operations due to the unavailable and high prices of Jet A1 among other challenges airlines have had to face so far in the New Year.