BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Arik Air has solidified its position as a major player in Nigeria’s aviation industry as it posted a good operational outing in 2024 despite operating under the receivership of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
According to a recent report from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the airline transported an impressive 2,239,176 passengers between January 1 and December 31, 2024, which reaffirmed its resilience and commitment to service excellence despite operational constraints.
Under AMCON’s receivership since 2017, Arik Air successfully operated 10,699 flights in 2024, ranking as the second most active airline in Nigeria in both passenger traffic and flight operations, trailing only Air Peace.
The NCAA report revealed that Nigeria’s total domestic air travel volume in 2024 reached 11,549,443, with 5,727,700 inbound passengers and 5,821,743 outbound.
Arik Air’s operations accounted for 19.3% of total passenger traffic and 15.1% of the 70,543 flights operated by 15 domestic airlines during the year, reinforcing its strong market presence and influence in the industry.
A closer examination of Arik Air’s monthly performance highlights its steady growth in passenger traffic.
The airline carried 76,759 passengers in January (37,772 inbound and 38,987 outbound), followed by 77,426 in February.
March saw 74,825 passengers, while April recorded 63,297.
Passenger numbers continued to climb, with May recording 78,771 and June totaling 76,327.
The peak months were July and November, where Arik Air transported 315,190 and 508,026 passengers, respectively.
Other notable figures included August (297,339 passengers), September (288,492), and October (262,836).
December saw a decline to 119,890 passengers, concluding a highly active year for the airline.
Flight operations mirrored this pattern, reflecting sustained activity and resilience. Arik Air operated 380 flights in January, 419 in February, and 468 in March.
April recorded 340 flights, followed by 374 in May and 350 in June.
The airline reached its highest operational peaks in July, with 1,403 flights, and November, with 2,442 flights. Other significant months included August (1,320 flights), September (1,352), and October (1,266). Arik Air concluded the year with 585 flights in December.
Despite the challenges of receivership, Arik Air maintained commendable service standards.
The NCAA report indicated that the airline received just 190 complaints throughout the year—a remarkably low figure considering its extensive operations.
Notably, January recorded zero complaints, while February had two and March had just one. The highest number of complaints was in November (67), followed by October (50).
Importantly, Arik Air did not report a single case of baggage loss in 2024.
All 84 delayed baggage cases were successfully resolved, and the airline recorded only one overbooking incident in October—an exceptionally rare occurrence in the industry.
Aviation industry experts have praised Arik Air’s exceptional performance under AMCON’s oversight.
Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, highlighted the airline’s operational strength and resilience, stating:
“Arik Air’s performance in 2024 is nothing short of remarkable, despite being under AMCON receivership.
The regulatory data ranked Arik as second in domestic passenger traffic, moving 2,239,176 passengers—a testament to its resilience and strategic management in challenging circumstances.
With a 19.3% market share out of 11.5 million total domestic passengers, Arik Air’s sustained dominance underscores its operational efficiency.
The airline’s ability to remain stable despite financial constraints, litigations, fleet limitations, and regulatory challenges is a demonstration of effective route management and passenger demand optimization.”
Similarly, Roland Iyayi, Managing Director of Top Brass Aviation Limited, emphasized the airline’s crucial role in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He remarked; “Arik Air transporting 2.2 million passengers and securing the second position in Nigeria’s domestic market, ahead of competitors like Ibom Air (1.3 million), Max Air (915,918), and Aero Contractors (964,900), is a remarkable achievement considering the disruptions the airline has faced under receivership.
Arik Air’s performance is particularly noteworthy given its limited access to fresh capital, aging fleet, and regulatory hurdles associated with its receivership status.
AMCON deserves recognition for its critical role in stabilizing Arik Air, ensuring its continued operations, and maintaining passenger confidence.
Without AMCON’s intervention, the airline would not have remained a key player in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Arik Air’s ability to thrive under receivership is a strong testament to AMCON’s commitment to job preservation, economic sustainability, and providing safe, reliable airline services for Nigerian travelers.”
As Arik Air continues navigating the complexities of receivership, its stellar performance in 2024 highlights its adaptability and resilience.
The airline’s ability to sustain operations, optimize routes, and maintain high service standards despite financial and regulatory hurdles affirms its strategic significance in Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
Industry stakeholders are keenly observing Arik Air’s next steps, particularly regarding potential restructuring, fresh investments, or privatization efforts that could further secure its long-term future.
Under AMCON’s continued oversight, Arik Air said it remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s aviation industry, providing safe and reliable air travel for millions of passengers nationwide.
