Nigerian Airline Suspends Operation, Cancels All Flights

• Green Africa has decided to suspend its domestic flight operations due to an unexpected issue with its aircraft lessor
• The airline apologised and confirmed that flights would remain grounded until after the Eid al-Fitr holidays
• Green Africa also promised support and has asked affected passengers to stay updated through its official communication channels

Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of business journalism experience with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.

Nigerian airline Green Africa has announced the suspension of its domestic flight operations until after the Eid al-Fitr holidays.

In a statement issued to address its customers on Monday, March 31, Green Africa expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the suspension.

The airline assured passengers that efforts were underway to resolve the issue promptly.

Green Africa suspends flight

BusinessDay reports that affected passengers were advised by the airline to stay informed through its official communication channels for further updates.

Read also

FG threatens to withdraw licence of oil companies, gives important reasons

Green Africa's statement reads:

““In line with our commitment to transparency in Green Africa, I am reaching out to keep you informed on a sudden and unexpected development with our aircraft lessor that prevents us from operating our flights over the next few days. Despite all efforts to manage the situation and avoid disruption to our operating schedule in immediate terms unfortunately we will not be able to operate until after the Eid-Al-Fitr holidays.

“We sincerely apologise to our valued Customers who will be impacted by this disruption,” the airline said.

“Please rest assured that we are actively working towards ensuring that we are able to resume operations in very short order."

While specific details regarding the issue with the lessor were not disclosed, Green Africa reemphasised its commitment to transparency and maintaining high standards of customer service throughout this period of interruption, Punch reports.

Read also

Air passengers distressed over 47,923 luggage missing in transit on local, int’l airlines

How passengers might be affected

The suspension of Green Africa Airlines’ operations due to a dispute with its aircraft lessor is likely to cause significant disruptions for passengers who had already booked flights.

Many travelers, especially those with urgent business, medical, or personal commitments, may face inconveniences, including delays and difficulties in securing alternative flights.

With fewer low-cost carriers in Nigeria, passengers might be forced to opt for more expensive tickets from other airlines, straining their travel budgets.

Exploring alternative travel arrangements

For those affected, alternative travel arrangements include booking flights with other domestic carriers such as Air Peace, Dana Air, Ibom Air, or Arik Air, though availability might be limited due to sudden demand.

Speaking with Legit.ng, Akinsola Akinlami, a travel agent, advised passengers to consider other travel options while waiting for refunds from Green Africa.

He said:

"Passengers traveling short distances may consider road transport via buses or ride-hailing services, though safety and travel time remain concerns. Regarding refunds, Green Africa may provide options for affected passengers, such as rebooking on future flights (if operations resume) or processing refunds. However, the speed of refund issuance will depend on the airline’s policies and financial situation."

Read also

Airlines spend heavily on aircraft towing, as aero bridges fail to arrive from China

Akinlami urged passengers to contact the airline directly or check its official website for updates on refund procedures and compensation options.

Green Africa operations in Nigeria

Green Africa is a value airline based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is licensed by the Nigerian government to operate Air Transport and received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the NCAA in August 2021.

The airline started operation in late 2011 on a lease agreement of 3 ATR 72-600s from ACIA and has plans to scale up to 15 ATRs by the end of 2022.

The plan is to position Green Africa to become the largest operator of a regional carrier.

The airline said its operation is guided by a 5-point customer promise of Safety, Affordability, Service, Reliability and Fun.

Airpeace slashes ticket prices

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, announced a 15% fare discount for students on Nigeria-London flights.

Read also

NNPC announces plans to sell shares to Nigerians, takes another action

The airline asked students enrolled full-time at accredited institutions in the UK, Europe, the US and Canada to take advantage of its exclusive 15% discount on economy tickets for flights between Nigeria and London.

Ejike Ndiulo, Air Peace’s head of corporate communications, disclosed that the offer presents an excellent opportunity for parents and students preparing for the summer return from school to Nigeria.

This article has been updated by head of business desk, Victor Enengedi, with additional information and an exclusive expert comment.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng