PLEASE, SAVE OUR SOULS OVER THE RECKLESS GROUNDING OF ARIK AIR FLEET
We bring you fraternal greetings from our Unions, and cry out to you over a very troubling matter.
His Excellency may recall that the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) forwarded a letter to your esteemed office dated February 20, 2024, with the title “Save our Souls – Request for urgent and compassionate intervention on Arik Air Nigeria Limited (in receivership) over indebtedness between Engr. Prince Arthur Eze and Sir Johnson Arumemi”.
But, now we are shocked that Arik Air’s fleet of four (4) aircraft was grounded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Tuesday July 30, 2024 over the subject matter in the above referenced letter.
This action has created anguish and severe frustration among Arik Air’s passengers, and has exacerbated the present air travel challenges in our dear Country. Mr. President can imagine the state of mind of those who have made both short and long term bookings, including group bookings, with the Airline, especially those who may not have the means to pay for alternative flights.
We are particularly concerned about the fate of the 2000, or so, workers of the Airline and their about 16000 dependents who are unfortunately caught up in this unneeded contraption. Under the current severe socio-economic upheavals, throwing such large numbers of citizens into economic quagmire can only worsen the forbearance strains. This is apart from losses of other third party vendors and service providers – airports, aviation agencies, ground handlers, fuellers, caterers, etc. This will have significant negative impact on the earnings of FAAN, NAMA, NIMET, NSIB, and NCAA.
Against the background of the negative consequences of the earlier similar grounding of Dana Air for which the industry is still counting the losses, we consider this avoidable situation to be truly worrisome.
Your Excellency, Sir, while we cannot arrogate the review of any judicial decision regarding the matter to ourselves as trade unions, we are strongly of the opinion that the mentioned fleet of aircraft cannot be subject of attachment to any writ that might have occasioned the grounding of the airline as the fleet of aircraft do not belong to Arik Air as such, it being lien belonging to secured creditors.
While we await your expeditious intervention in this matter, we most passionately request that you use your esteemed office to call all parties in this matter, especially government agencies, to order and allow Arik Air continue their operations even while the issues are being resolved. This is in the national interest, especially considering that there is an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo ante.
We trust in your renewed hope agenda to bring succor to our troubled dear nation, and we hope that your administration will always carry our Unions along in matters connected with the aviation industry.
Please accept as usual the assurances of our highest regards while we remain,
Yours in nation building,
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Comrade Ocheme Aba Comrade Frances Akinjole
General Secretary Principal Deputy General Secretary
NUATE ATSSSAN
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Comrade Olayinka Abioye
General Secretary
NAAPE
Copies:-
1. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation
2. The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
3. The CEO, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)
