PH
Arik Air has bemoaned the recent disruption of its services by aviation unions over the N12.4 billion debts the carrier reportedly owed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Passengers have recently been left stranded at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as placard-carrying unionists frustrated the operation of the airline.
“Such practices, if not stopped by the authorities, are capable of running down the industry,” warned Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Arumeni Johnson.
He described his airline as a “responsible corporate citizen” that was always ready to meet its obligations to its passengers and service providers and therefore did not deserve the alleged shabby treatment by the unions as exemplified by the recent picketing at its offices and aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
“Is it now the duty of the union to seek payment of money owed aviation agencies? The union has clearly gone beyond its mandate and we implore the Honourable Minister to intervene.”
Johnson expressed the hope that Sirika as a thoroughbred aviation professional would bring his wealth of experience to bear in resolving all the lingering issues especially between airline operators and the industry regulators.
Meanwhile, Sirika has given Arik Air Group, FAAN and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) a fortnight, effective Thursday, to resolve all issues relating to indebtedness among the respective organisations.
