Three months after the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Growth, Festus Keyamo, suspended the operation of Dana Air, the minister has once more grounded the operations of one other native airline, Arik Air.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the minister of aviation ordered that the Arik Air fleet be grounded till additional discover.
Consequently, aviation analysts have predicted that the grounding of Arik Air will additional worsen the present plane scarcity within the nation as capability will shrink and subsequently pressure the native airfares to soar.
Confirming the suspension, the chief govt officer, Arik Air (in Receivership), Roy Ilegbodu, nonetheless, slammed the minister for his sudden choice to floor the airways.
He described the choice as a ‘disastrous’ and ‘unjust’ transfer that disregards ongoing judicial processes and prioritises personal pursuits over the general public good.
In an announcement, Ilegbodu expressed his deep disappointment and frustration over the Aviation minister’s choice, which he stated was made with out warning or session.
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“It is a devastating blow to our passengers, workers, and the Nigerian financial system,” he stated.
Ilegbodu accused the minister of ignoring the airline’s dedication to connecting folks and facilitating commerce, significantly on vital home routes.
He stated, “The grounding of our fleet will go away passengers stranded and inflate already excessive journey prices, hurting on a regular basis Nigerians who depend on our flights for enterprise, household, and important actions.
“We’re perplexed as to why the grounding of our fleet was ordered, regardless of clear courtroom directives to keep up establishment. That is an overreach of the continued judicial processes and directives of courtroom, and it undermines the rule of legislation.
“The choice additionally disregards ongoing judicial processes. On February 26, 2016, a judgment was made in favour of Atlas Petroleum Worldwide Restricted and Engineer Arthur Eze. Nevertheless, there may be an ongoing case within the Federal Excessive Courtroom, the place Asset Administration Company of Nigeria (AMCON) is asserting its secured curiosity in Arik’s belongings. Regardless of this, a writ of attachment was issued on July 18, 2024, concentrating on our Plane, subsequent to which, additional to an originating movement filed by AMCON, the Excessive Courtroom of the FCT on July 25, 2024 clearly instructed all events to keep up establishment. We, subsequently, are perplexed as to the grounding of our fleet, which is an overreach of the continued judicial processes and directives of courtroom.”
Ilegbodu urged the authorities to rethink the choice and carry the grounding order, permitting Arik Air to proceed serving the general public and supporting the financial system.
“We’re dedicated to following the authorized course of and have full religion within the judiciary to resolve these issues pretty,” he acknowledged.
The Arik CEO concluded by expressing his gratitude to passengers and workers for his or her assist and understanding throughout their difficult time.
“We sincerely remorse any inconvenience precipitated to our esteemed passengers,” he added.
