Nigeria's First Nation Airways has suspended flight operations less than 24 hours after Aero Contractors, another Nigerian airline, indefinitely suspended its flight operations.

Lagos based Aero Contractors had on Thursday, September 1, 2016 suspended all operations citing a worsening economy situation in Nigeria as well as lack of aviation fuel.

However, in a statement announcing the suspension, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, said the suspension was due to operational reasons rather than economic challenges.

“First Nation Airlines, on its part, is in the middle of an Engine Replacement Programme for one of its aircraft. Another aircraft is due for mandatory maintenance as allowed by the regulatory authority," he said.

“In these circumstances, these airlines clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self regulatory suspension.”

Since securing its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2011, First Nation Airways has been known for inconsistent services having suspended operations twice due to aircraft shortage.

First Nation Airways currently operates two Airbus A319 leased from AerCap on scheduled flights between Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.