Members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, yesterday, said they can only reduce air fares if the government removed Value Added Tax, VAT, on aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1.
The airline operators also demanded regular supply of aviation fuel and reduction in its price.
At a meeting with Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, in Lagos, the operators noted that VAT was not applicable to other modes of transportation in the country. They also canvassed for the removal of rents at the airports.
Aviation fuel is between N200 and N220 per litre, a situation that has forced air fares to rise to N30,000 for an hour flight.
Aside, the commodity is also scarce, though oil marketers and government are yet to explain convincingly why JET A1 is scare and costly.
At the meeting were the Secretary General of AON, Muhammed Joji, his assistant, Muhammed Tukur and other executives.
They also called on the Federal Government to commence allocation of land to enable them build hangars for their aircraft maintenance.
According to Joji, once these requests are met, operators would bring down fares to government’s demand of about $100 for an hour flight.
He said: “We are ready to bring down air fares if these requests are considered. We will stand a chance to bringing down fares to government demand of about $100 equivalent for an hour flight as it used to be.”
Demuren, who promised to report back to the Federal Government on the outcome of the meeting, asked the operators to reduce price and also render prompt and quality service devoid of unnecessary flight delays and cancellations without prompt refunds.
SOURCE; VANGUARD NEWSPAPER
