ABUJA: Arik Air, Nigeria’s major domestic airline whose fleet was grounded last week by the federal government over a legal dispute has been cleared to resume operations, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed on Thursday.
The banned was lifted following the successful resolution of the legal impasse by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo. and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo
The Aviation Minister had directed the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to ground three aircraft belonging to the airline following a Supreme Court judgement in favour of Atlas Petroleum Company where the three aircraft were attached as judgment debt.
Though, Aviation unions had also called for the intervention of President Bola Tinubu over the issue to be resolved amicably.
However, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Captain Michael Achimugu, said in a statement that Keyamo had “successfully overseen a resolution of the impasse between Arik Airlines and Atlas Petroleum.”
NCAA in his statement has directed 2 of the 3 grounded Arik Air aircraft have been cleared by the NCAA to resume operations immediately,”
NCAA said that passengers scheduled to travel on Arik Air are already being checked-in at airport terminals across the country which clearly shows that flights are resuming and operations are getting back to normal.
“The NCAA wishes to assure the public of its commitment to aviation safety, security and improved overall travel experience of passengers,” he added
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.”
