The Nigerian government has said it has lifted the suspension on the operations of the airlines.
The three-operating aircraft in the fleet of Arik Air were grounded last week by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo had ordered the enforcement of a Supreme Court order secured by one Atlas Petroleum which is being owed $2.5million by Arik Air.
The grounding of the fleet has brought the operation of the airline to a halt, worsening the existing capacity constraints in the aviation industry.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) had called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the grounding of Arik Air fleet.
However, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, in a statement on X said the dispute between Atlas Petroleum and Arik Air which necessitated the grounding of the airline’s operations had been resolved.
He said; “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo has successfully resolved the impasse between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum,” he said.
“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.”
Saharareporters
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