Arik Air, one of Nigeria’s major airlines, has been grounded on the order of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
The airline’s management, currently under receivership, expressed dismay at the decision.
It kicked that the decision was taken without prior warning or consultation.
Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air (In Receivership), in a press statement on July 30, 2024, highlighted the significant impact of the decision on passengers, employees, and the broader Nigerian economy.
The airline, which operates critical domestic routes, warned that the grounding would disrupt vital services and potentially inflate high travel costs.
The management also raised concerns about the legality of the grounding order, citing ongoing judicial processes.
They adverted attention to a judgement favouring Atlas Petroleum International Limited and Engineer Arthur Eze on February 26, 2016.
Still, they emphasized a current case in the Federal High Court where the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is asserting its secured interest in Arik’s assets.
Adding to the complexity, a writ of attachment was issued on July 18, 2024, targeting Arik’s aircraft.
However, following an originating motion filed by AMCON, the High Court of the FCT, on July 25, 2024, instructed all parties to maintain the status quo.
Arik’s management expressed confusion over the grounding order, viewing it as an overreach of ongoing judicial processes.
The airline argued that this action undermined the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent by prioritizing unsecured private interests over the public good and the rights of secured creditors.
Arik Air has pledged to continue following the legal process and expressed faith in the judiciary to resolve these matters fairly.
As the situation unfolds, Arik Air has called on authorities to reconsider the decision and lift the grounding order.
The airline has apologised to its passengers for any inconvenience and stated it was working to resolve the situation.
This development raises questions about the future of one of Nigeria’s major airlines and its impact on its aviation sector.
As of now, it remains unclear how long the grounding order will remain in effect or what steps will be taken to address the concerns raised by Arik Air’s management.
