Aviation unions to Tinubu: Direct agencies to lift embargo on Arik Air’s aircraft

Aviation unions have asked President Bola Tinubu to direct aviation agencies to lift the embargo on four Arik Air aircraft.

On July 30, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said it grounded some aircraft belonging to Arik Airline over a $2.5 million debt case.

The agency said the decision is a sequel to an order by the federal high court.

NAMA said the court’s order is regarding a case of $2.5 million owed by Arik to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

However, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on August 2, clarified that the grounding of Arik Air aircraft does not include a suspension of the airline’s overall operations.

In an open letter to the president on Monday, the unions said this move has intensified frustration among passengers and exacerbated existing challenges in the country’s air travel sector.

The letter was issued by Ocheme Aba, general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Frances Akinjole, principal deputy general secretary of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN); and Olayinka Abioye, general secretary of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

“We bring you fraternal greetings from our Unions, and cry out to you over a very troubling matter,” the aviation unions said.

“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 16,000 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.”

‘IT WILL AFFECT EARNINGS OF FAAN, NAMA, NCAA’

The aviation unions warned that the grounding would lead to losses of third-party vendors and service providers such as airports, aviation agencies, ground handlers, fuelers, and caterers.

According to the unions, it would negatively affect the earnings of NAMA, NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

“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,” the unions said.

“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.”

Also, the aviation unions appealed to the president to direct all parties involved, particularly government agencies, to allow Arik Air to continue its operations while the issues are being addressed.

This, according to the unions, is in the national interest, considering there is an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo ante.

The aviation unions expressed their confidence in the president’s renewed hope agenda to provide relief to the nation and hope that his administration will consistently involve their unions in aviation industry matters.