Arik Air garners public confidence, begins payment of staff, creditors

POSITIVE developments are brewing in Arik Air barely two weeks after Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the management of the airline, as the airline’s operations is being stabilized and payments to staff and creditors are being made.

The airline has also been able to gain the confidence of the banks as well as paid its insurance premium to enable its operations a hurdle that could have seen the airline shut operations over two weeks ago.

The airline, now managed by Capt. Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, under the receivership of Mr. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN was confronted with a barrage of challenges created by the sacked Arik management, they have been able to eventually surmount the problems to stabilize operations with the few aircraft on the fleet.

A statement credited to AMCON read in part,” Unlike what obtained before the takeover, average On-Time-Performance (OTP) of Arik Air to different destinations has improved; Nigerian banks that hitherto turned their backs to Arik now cooperate and support the new management; engagement with international and local creditors have also been successful; just as discussions with critical service providers and industry stakeholders have yielded the much desired positive results. “

“Arik has also paid the insurance premium, which was on the verge of expiring had AMCON not taken over on February 9, 2017. Arik has also commenced the payment of outstanding salaries, which has greatly boosted staff morale as well as performance. Arik is also in discussion with different creditors and stakeholders to recall a good number of aircraft into the fleet as soon as possible, which will increase the number of daily flights. Aside from that, a good number of affected passengers have been refunded while efforts are on to reach out to those yet to get their refund as a result of suspension of flights to some routes. “

As a result of these positive developments, customers of Arik especially from the corporate circle are gradually coming back with assurances of stable and professional management with improving performance record within a short period, which is buoyed by the fact that Arik has unparalleled safety record that speaks for itself in the history of aviation in the country.

The new management of the airline under the auspices of AMCON has held series of fruitful engagements with major suppliers of aviation fuel (Jet A1), and agreements reached for regular supplies of the product to Arik, which has guaranteed regular flights.

In a related development, the new management of Arik during the week sent out a communication to its numerous customers and stakeholders across the country and beyond. The statement said, “The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), in furtherance of its statutory mandate has appointed Mr. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN (the Receiver) as Receiver/Manager over all the assets and entire undertakings ofArik Air Limited (Arik Air) pursuant to a Deed of Appointment dated 06 February 2017.

“By virtue of his appointment, the Receiver has engaged the services of an experienced and capable technical partner, Captain Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert with over 35 years’ experience, to provide seamless management and transitional services to Arik Air, with minimal disruptions to the Company’s operations and overall business…We thank you for your continued support and appreciate your patronage of Arik Air.”