Barely three weeks after Aero Contractors commenced the sales of snacks on board its flight tagged ‘Sky Snax’, stakeholders have said that there is nothing wrong as the airline is only responding to the current economic realities.
Aero Contractors, one of the leading domestic airlines, stopped serving its passengers in-flight meals in all its one-hour domestic flights.
Speaking with Daily Independent in an exclusive interview, a former General Manger, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Sam Akerele, said that the economic meltdown, which has been affecting airlines, coupled with sky rocket prices of aviation fuel popularly known as Jet –A1, necessitated the survival instinct that Aero contractors embarked on.
According to him, “Economic downturn, lack of usual support from banks, high fuel price, low passenger volume, etc will lead to downsize or removing benefits to customers though they could move to other airlines”.
Akerele contended that the airline industry world wide including Nigeria is facing critical time and that government bailout cannot rescue the airlines from the condition they found themselves.
In his words, “The industry faces critical time ahead, government funds will not be sufficient except mergers and re-alignment.”
He posited that only four airlines might survive in the Nigerian aviation industry in view of the current global economic meltdown.
The former airspace manager called for the reorganisation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Ministry of Aviation.
On his part, a former President of the National Cabin Crew Association (NACCA), Olumide Ohuanyo, said that there is nothing wrong with Aero Contractors stoppage of in-flight meals on its domestic routes to passengers, adding that the airline was only reacting to the current economic challenges in the aviation and other sectors of the economy.
“Fine there is nothing wrong with that, they are facing the realities of time and Aero will not be the first airline to introduce it”, he said.
Ohuanyo said that he is in support of the idea and other legitimate means of increasing its revenue, adding that it is better than the airline hiking its fare
In his words, “The bottom-line is generating ancillary revenue to shore up liquidity. I support it and any other known methods used to increase revenue at the expense of outright fare hike the a la carte system is coming let see as it goes”
Daily Independent recalls that Aero had announced plans to launch on board sale of snacks and drinks in all its domestic destinations commencing November 16th, 2009.
This service, the airline had said, is only available in the economy class cabin and that the new in-flight catering service give passengers the option of purchasing quality breakfast, lunch or dinner on board the carrier’s flights from a selected menu.
The latest product called ‘Sky Snax’ will offer passengers mouth watering choices ranging from sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, variety of snacks, beverages (coffee, tea) and soft drinks. The airline plans to make available menus online on its website, www.flyaero.com where customers can also purchase vouchers at a discount.



http://independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=4854

Even after paying N25,000 for one hour flight? Na wah oh Aero!.

They claim to be world class airline, yet they can not beat Arik and Virgin Nigeria who are still serving snacks and doing very well.

flew Aero last week , infact fear catch me when dem say their wack na for sale.

Anyways I think "safety" is paramount for these local airlines so this might not count for much.

I heard they will soon start selling pure water,la casera and gala on board.lmfao

Na molue . Even sef, those dry snacks- miserable cke and pako buiscuit.

Does it matter? They have already collected the fare.

Very soon dem go begin do attachment

Attachment ke?

@ Bluetooth,
Even sef dem fit throw in some street traders to sell pirated compact discs and chewing stick

Look laughing is not around, just smile

I was suprised but it happened-snacks,milo tea,biscuits and even WATER.
E get as e bi.

Wait, how do they do that ?
Is it like, BUY GALA, BUY GALA !
OR
COLD LACASERA, PURE WATER COKE

NAIJA WILL JUST CONTINUE TO AMUSE ME

Make una no kill me with laugh here o

People will start bringing their own food on board.

Bluetooth,

I say make dem add that melecine seller, but for high class, na viagra,
and parachute e go dey sell, U know all dis big big man wey
dey go do meeting for Abuja and madam no follow go need am.

Even Bluetooth sef , na dat baba ijebu machine ego operate.

Me malam na shayi and goro, and ma price no reach dem own. Even my coke na for satchet.

You gree?

tundewoods:


If mean business i will carry along my take away food and in fact bring extra to vend on board and give them (AREO) a run for their money .

Lol typical Nigerian
Until they ban people from bringing food on board

A_K_O:

People will start bringing their own food on board.

I will better take my eba+ egusi soup along.lol

What kind of first class treatment is that, in a domestic flight? Abeg, na only Aero dey Nigeria? I will go and join Okada Air, or even fly with Nigeria Airways jare! .

If they are raise some money doing that and make sure their aircraft are all up to date as per maintenance, more grease to their yansh

Fhemmmy:

If they are raise some money doing that and make sure their aircraft are all up to date as per maintenance, more grease to their yansh

How much do they intend to make? People like me will not miss anything about their snacks. Those snacks where meant for prisoners. Aside, how much will that give to them to maintain their aircrafts?. They have no excuse, they just want to start selling their puff-puff, that is all.

~Bluetooth:

I will better take my eba+ egusi soup along.lol

Bros, dem go bounce you at the point of entering the aircraft.

Aero contractor now sell puff-puff and pure water on air.

rotflmao . . . .

Ujujoan:

rotflmao . . . .

In as much as it is the truth, it is a shame!.

The most annoying is that, they collect as much as N25,000 for just an hour's flight. What kind of safety record that Arik or Virgin doesnt have. They are just shylock!. Shekinah!.

selingel:


How much do they intend to make? People like me will not miss anything about their snacks. Those snacks where meant for prisoners. Aside, how much will that give to them to maintain their aircrafts?. They have no excuse, they just want to start selling their puff-puff, that is all.

if they know what they are doing and do it well, i am sure they can make money.
Take for example a bottled water, how much wld they sell it, and how much is a pack of 24 on the street?

selling on board an aircraft? :ohope dey won't start throwing punches as a result of change.

According to popular Bobby McFerrin song, "Dont worry be happy". This is a little song I wrote, dont worry, be happy. Even if Aero says, is compulsory to buy their food, even after paying N25,000, dont worry, be happy!.

philip0906:

selling on board an aircraft? :ohope dey won't start throwing punches as a result of change.

I can see that happen.
Or they join 2 people together for change

Fhemmmy:

I can see that happen.
Or they join 2 people together for change

When did Aero turn into a Molue, that they start hawking food, but they way? Is Aero now Aero now Molue? I will not be surprised if they start preaching inside the aircraft!.

Aero molue ke?,they better paint their plane in lagos colour before fashola sanction them.