Arik Air Resumes Operations, Claims It Paid N18.9bn Not N11.4bn To FAAN As FG Issues 2-Week Ultimatum

On Wednesday, Arik airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport were disrupted by aviation unions and some FAAN workers, over its alleged N12.5 billion indebtedness to the agency, leaving passengers stranded at the General Aviation Terminal.

Following this incidence, the Federal Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Arik Air Group to resolve all indebtedness of the airline.

This ultimatum comes just as Arik Air revealed that it had paid FAAN a total of N18.9 billion of its indebtedness to the agency from January till date and had resumed services after Wednesday’s disruption of its operations by unions in the industry.

NAN reports that the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue, made the claim while briefing aviation correspondents in Lagos.

Ndulue, while apologising to the airline’s passengers for the inconveniences caused by the development, confirmed that Arik Air had resumed both domestic and international operations.

He noted that it was very strange that while the airline’s records showed the payment of N18.9 billion, FAAN claimed that it received only N11.4 billion.

According to him, every efforts have been made over the years to reconcile the disputed figures, including the setting up of a ministerial committee by the former Permanent Secretary of the aviation ministry, Mrs Binta Bello.

Ndulue said while the committee was still trying to resolve the issue, FAAN instituted a suit against the airline in October 2015 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

He said FAAN again informed the court on Feb.3, 2016 that parties should be allowed to explore an amicable resolution to the dispute by appointing an independent auditor, to reconcile the figures.

“So the issue of whether Arik Air is indebted or not to FAAN has been put before a competent court in a suit initiated by the agency.

“For FAAN to resort to self-help or by its staff is an affront on the Federal High Court and the Nigerian State.

“A situation whereby staff of FAAN and union members turn themselves into debt collection agents, on behalf of the Federal Government is absurd,” Ndulue said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Arumemi Johnson Ikhide, confirmed that the airline’s management had met with the Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, over the unions’ action.

“We are prepared and want to pay for services rendered, but we will not be bullied. What happened yesterday (Wednesday) is not good for the image of the country,’’ he added.

Following his meeting with the management of Arik Air in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of State for Aviation,Senator Hadi Sirika, directed all parties to report back to him after the two-week ultimatum, with a resolution on the amounts owed, payment plans and the way forward.

According to Vanguard, the Minister noted that all airline operators must conform to industry rules and regulations, including payment of applicable fees and fines as at when due, stating that the well-being of an airline was measured by its ability to pay for services rendered it.