Nigerian Government Clears Arik Air to Resume Operations
arikThis comes a week after its planes were grounded due to a dispute with Atlas Petroleum.
Following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Najomo, the Nigerian Government has lifted the suspension on Arik Air’s operations.
This comes a week after its planes were grounded due to a dispute with Atlas Petroleum.
This development was communicated by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, via a statement.
The statement read in part, “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo have 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.”
Arik Air’s operations grounding which began on June 30, was linked to a debt of $2.5 million owed by the airline to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had stated that the suspension followed an order by the enforcement department of the FCT High Court.
