This comes more than a week after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, ordered that the operations of the airline be grounded until further notice.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Naija News reported that the decision to ground Arik Airlines follows an order from the enforcement department of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court due to an outstanding debt of $2.5 million by the airline.
Confirming the suspension, the chief executive officer, Arik Air (in Receivership), Roy Ilegbodu, expressed disappointment with the Minister’s decision over the airline.
According to him, grounding the airline’s operations is a devastating blow that would negatively impact the passengers, the company, and the Nigerian economy.
Ilegbodu added that Keyamo’s directive is in violation of court processes and, therefore urged the Minister to reconsider the directive.
In a statement via his social media page on Thursday, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, said Keyamo gave a directive that the suspension of Arik Air should be lifted.
Achimugu said the conflict has been resolved, and Arik Air has commenced operations immediately.
He said, “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo has successfully resolved the impasse between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum.
“By this resolution, Arik Air will begin operations today.
“The priority of the Minister and the NCAA remains to ensure safe and secure air travel for all passengers.
“Arik Air passengers are currently checking in for scheduled flights.”
