The Federal Government has lifted the suspension on Arik Air’s operations, just over a week after the airline was grounded on the orders of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The suspension was originally enforced following a directive from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, due to an outstanding debt of $2.5 million owed by the airline.
Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer (in Receivership), Roy Ilegbodu, expressed disappointment with the grounding decision, highlighting its negative impact on passengers, the airline, and the broader Nigerian economy. He also argued that the directive from the Minister violated court processes and urged a reconsideration of the order.
In a statement released on Thursday, Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed that Keyamo had instructed the immediate lifting of the suspension. Achimugu noted that the dispute between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum had been resolved, allowing the airline to resume operations immediately.
He emphasized that the primary concern of the Minister and the NCAA is to ensure the safety and security of air travel for all passengers. As a result, Arik Air passengers have already begun checking in for scheduled flights.
