₦airaland Forum

The federal government has directed the immediate suspension of Arik Air aircraft operations.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, gave the directive on Tuesday.

The minister did not state the reason for the decision.

Reacting to the development in a statement, Roy Ilegbodu, chief executive officer (CEO) of Arik Air (in receivership), said the minister’s directive came without warning or consultation.

He also said the decision would have a ripple effect on the firm and the country’s economy.

“The management of Arik Air (In Receivership) is dismayed by the sudden order issued by the honourable minister of aviation to ground our aircraft,” Ilegbodu said.

“This decision, made without warning or consultation, has serious repercussions for our valued passengers, dedicated employees, and the broader Nigerian economy.

“Our priority has always been to connect people and facilitate commerce, especially on critical domestic routes.

“The grounding of our fleet disrupts these vital services, leaving passengers stranded and inflating already high travel costs.

“This decision hurts everyday Nigerians who rely on our flights for business, family, and essential activities.”

In February 2017, Arik Air was taken over by the federal government via the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) due to the company’s huge debt profile, estimated at over N300 billion.

The government, following the takeover, immediately dissolved the airline’s management team and appointed a receiver manager.


‘DECISION UNDERMINES COURT’S DIRECTIVES’

Further commenting on the latest development, Ilegbodu said the minister’s decision to ground the airline also “disregards ongoing judicial processes”.

“On February 26, 2016, a judgment was made in favor of Atlas Petroleum International Limited and Engineer Arthur Eze,” he added.

“However, there is an ongoing case in the federal high court, where Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is asserting its secured interest in Arik’s assets.

“Despite this, a writ of attachment was issued on July 18, 2024, targeting our Aircraft, after which, further to an originating motion filed by AMCON, the High Court of the FCT on July 25, 2024, clearly instructed all parties to maintain status quo.

“We therefore are perplexed as to the grounding of our fleet, which is an overreach of the ongoing judicial processes and directives of the court.

“We believe this action undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent, prioritizing unsecured private interests over the public good and the rights of secured creditors.”

Ilegbodu also said the airline is committed to following the legal process and has full faith in the judiciary to resolve the issues fairly.

“Arik has always been a proud partner in Nigeria’s growth, providing reliable and safe air travel,” he said.

“We urge the authorities to reconsider this decision, lift the grounding order, and allow us to continue serving the public and supporting the economy.

“We stand with our passengers and employees during this challenging time and are working tirelessly to resolve this situation. Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated.”

The airline’s management also expressed regrets over “any inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers”.

Nukilia:
It will go around... All private industries will get the hit one after the other. Job losses will skyrocket and the nation will be brought to its knees by the corrupt political class.

It was DANA and now ARIK, very soon it will reach Airpeace etc

Nukilia:
It will go around... All private industries will get the hit one after the other. Job losses will skyrocket and the nation will be brought to its knees by the corrupt political class.

It was DANA and now ARIK, very soon it will reach Airpeace etc

dre11:
https://www.thecable.ng/flight-disruption-looms-as-fg-grounds-arik-air-planes/amp/

Nukilia:
It will go around... All private industries will get the hit one after the other. Job losses will skyrocket and the nation will be brought to its knees by the corrupt political class.

It was DANA and now ARIK, very soon it will reach Airpeace etc

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE GROUNDING OF ARIK AIRCRAFTS BY THE NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Tuesday, July 30th, 2024

On the 19th day of July, 2024, the enforcement department of the FCT High Court enforced an Order made by the Court regarding a debt of $2.5 million owed by Arik Airline to one Atlas Petroleum International Ltd. by attaching their aircrafts. Arik was further given a notice of Public Auction of the planes by the Court which was slated to hold on the 26th day of July 2024 if they fail to pay the Judgment debt. All these were served on our agency and also on our Supervising Minister, the Minister of Aviation.

The records show that on the 8th day of March, 2016, the Judgment Debtor (ARIK) appealed the decision of the High Court of Lagos State entering judgment against it to the Court of Appeal and on 30th September, 2021, the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision with cost.

ARIK again appealed to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal, and on the 9th day of January, 2024, the Supreme Court, per Okoro, J.S.C., delivered its Ruling dismissing the Judgment Debtor’s application for leave to appeal.

The Judgment Creditor registered the Judgment of the Lagos State High Court in The High Court of FCT and On the 26th day of June, 2024, Honorable Justice O. A. Adeniyi, then sitting in Court 8, Maitama, Abuja) made an order after hearing Motion No: M/9785/2024 filed on behalf of Atlas Petroleum attaching all the moveable properties belonging to the Judgment Debtor, including the Judgment Debtor’s aircraft with Registration No: B737-700/ 5N-MJF, B737-800/ 5N-MJQ, DASH8-Q400 and 5N-BKX in satisfaction of the judgment debt. Copies of the Order and Certificate of Judgment were also served on us and the Minister.

We understand too that Arik has obtained an exparte order stopping FURTHER EXECUTION of the order, though we have not been formally served. In the circumstances, since the first execution took place by attaching the aircrafts, further execution by way of sale can be halted whilst the parties go back to court to resolve the issues. However, in order to preserve the subject matter of the present dispute which are the aircrafts in question (the res), which have already been attached, we have decided to comply with the effect of the Supreme Court order, by grounding the aircrafts (subject of dispute) so that they are not taken out of the jurisdiction of the court or tampered with in a way as to frustrate the courts.

Furthermore, the Minister, being a member of the Inner Bar himself understands the implication of the Supreme Court Order dismissing the motion for leave to appeal and will not risk his license as a legal practitioner or his privilege as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by engaging in acts that will frustrate an order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The parties to the dispute are encouraged to resolve their issues as quickly as possible so that the Arik aircrafts in question can resume flight operations.

Alhaji Abdullahi Musa
Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection,
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency

Chinkoalhaji34:
Very good.

Safety first, it's high time we prioritize the well-being of passengers over anything else.

Nukilia:
It will go around... All private industries will get the hit one after the other. Job losses will skyrocket and the nation will be brought to its knees by the corrupt political class.

It was DANA and now ARIK, very soon it will reach Airpeace etc