Rano Airline Halts Operations Along Some Routes Over ‘Unprecedented’ Aviation Fuel Hike

By Gabriel Ogunlana

Rano Air has announced a temporary suspension of activities in some of its flight routes citing what it described as an unprecedented increase of over 300 per cent in the cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel for the move.

The management of the airline made the announcement in a  signed statement posted on the company’s official X page

According to the statement, the carrier said the sharp rise in fuel prices has made operations on some routes “extremely challenging and commercially unsustainable.”

However, the notice did not specify which of the routes would be suspended, there are speculations that Maiduguri and Gombe may be affected by the development.

The airline currently operates Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi and Osubi routes.

“Definitely more than 50 per cent of the routes might be suspended temporarily but the management will soon come out with a final statement on the routes.” Daily Trust quoted a source to have said.

In the notice, the airline said the high fuel cost has placed enormous pressure on flight operations and forced the company to take the “difficult but necessary decision” to suspend affected routes temporarily.

Rano Air expressed regret over the inconvenience the decision may cause passengers and business partners, noting that the move was made after careful consideration to ensure safe, reliable and sustainable operations.

“Rano Air wishes to inform the general public and our valued passengers that, due to the unprecedented escalation in the cost of Jet Al aviation fuel by over 300%, the operational cost of sustaining some of our routes has become extremely challenging and commercially unsustainable.

“This significant increase in fuel prices has greatly impacted the aviation industry and placed enormous pressure on our flight operations. In view of the current situation, Rano Air has taken the difficult but necessary decision to suspend some of our routes temporarily.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience this may cause to our esteemed passengers and business partners. Please be assured that this decision was made after careful consideration and in the interest of maintaining safe, reliable, and sustainable operations.

“Passengers who have already booked flights on the affected routes are advised that Rano Air will assist with all concerns regarding refunds, rescheduling, or rerouting options.

“Operations on the affected routes will resume as soon as the situation improves and becomes operationally viable for the airline.

“Rano Air remains committed to providing quality service to our passengers, and we appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support during this challenging period.” the statement from Rano read.

Domestic airlines have recently lamented high fuel costs while threatening to suspend flights indefinitely.

The planned shutdown was averted following the government’s intervention but some of the airlines said the situation hasn’t really improved as they still buy fuel at almost N3000 per litre.

The federal government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently pegged jet A1 price at N2039 per litre in Abuja and less in Lagos.