The Airlines Operators of Nigeria acknowledged a reduction in the country’s aviation fuel prices, following the commencement of operations at the Dangote refinery.
This development occurred after the association met with the Dangote group’s management team to discuss constraints that are making the crucial commodity more expensive, resulting in rising airfares, according to The Punch.
In February, airline operators criticized the growing price of aviation fuel, describing the situation as urgent and needing prompt government involvement to avoid the collapse of their operations.
The airlines also stated that fluctuating exchange rates and the high cost of aviation fuel, which was N1,300 per liter at the time, affected operational planning and stability in the aviation sector.
In April, Dangote announced a price cut for diesel and aviation gasoline.
Dangote said the aviation fuel was slashed to N940 per litre.
The firm noted that the discount applied to customers purchasing five million litres or more from the refinery, while consumers purchasing one million litres or more would pay N970 per litre.
In a statement placed on the Dangote website, Head of Communication Anthony Chiejina noted that the new price was consistent with the company’s objective to reduce the impact of economic hardship on Nigerians.
He said “I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable prices, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri. You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates.”
He further stated that the partnership would be extended to other major oil marketers. “The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices,” he noted.
The spokesperson of AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo confirmed the price reduction for JetA1, but refused to provide statistics to back up the assertion.
‘AON has met with the team of management at Dangote Group, and we discussed issues with them and they have been yielding.
“As for price, we don’t have any control over the price. We only rely on him (Dangote) to give us the most reasonable price. We understand that this thing fluctuates considering naira to the dollar and the value of coal. Now we have noticed some reduction compared to when we were buying from other marketers,” he stated.
He further stated, “I am not the accountant, I can’t give figures now please.”
The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi disputed the AON publicist’s response, claiming he was unaware of any deduction, adding that the airline had continued to buy aviation fuel between N1,000 and N1,200.
He noted “I am not aware of any form of reduction in the price of our fuel. We still buy between N1000 and N1,200. Anybody can claim. Please, quote them and quote me that I am not aware of any price reduction.”
