Kano based indigenous airline operator, Azman Air, on Thursday, refuted reports that it has shut down domestic operations for Hajj operation, saying its aircraft went for routine maintenance.
The airline has its main base at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, destinations include, Birnin Kebbi, Gombe, Jeddah, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos State.
However, in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP, the President, Azman Air, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, stated that it still operates domestic operations, on Wednesday, 14th June, 2023.
According to him, the aircraft that went for maintenance are due for return to the country in less than 2 weeks after which domestic operations will commence.
Abdulmunaf said, “that we suspended domestic operation is not true, the last flight we did was on 14th of this month. We are doing maintenance of our aircraft and immediately we finish our maintenance and we are coming back into full operation.”
He continued, “We have some aircraft outside Nigeria for maintenance and some of them have finished maintenance and are on their way back to the country.”
He, however, disclosed that the aircraft would be back into the country in less than two weeks
“They are under maintenance and they are due for the Calendar year. When the maintenance calendar call you have to go for it. It’s routine maintenance. We are expecting them back to the country anytime from now and it can be less than two weeks,” he told LEADERSHIP on phone.
LEADERSHIP reports that the airline had suspended its domestic flight operations in Nigeria over shortage of aircraft.
It was, however, gathered that the airline is currently operating charters to Saudi Arabia under contract from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON and the airline flights are unavailable for bookings on its website.
It was also learnt that only two of Azman Air’s fleet of seven aircraft are currently in active service: B737-500 5N-AIS (MSN 29235) normally used on domestic routes, including Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Kaduna International, A340-600 5N-AAM (MSN 765), providing Hajj charters to Madinah in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj 2023 season since June 1, 2023 and ADS-B data showed the aircraft last returned from Medina to Kano on June 20.
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