Arik Air is due back in business today, with its planes returning to the skies after a 72-hour disruption caused by a strike by aviation workers' unions over alleged indebtedness to regulatory authorities. The federal government waded into the dispute yesterday, with Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Anyim Pius Anyim giving the airline the green light to resume operations from today.
Strike Disrupts Operations and Strands Thousands
The strike, which began on Thursday, was initiated by the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE). The action grounded Arik Air, the nation's biggest airline, leaving thousands of domestic travellers stranded across the country and throwing the sector into confusion.
The disruption lasted 72 hours, affecting numerous flights and causing widespread inconvenience for passengers. The unions had alleged that Arik Air was indebted to regulatory authorities, a claim that led to the industrial action.
Government Mediation Leads to Resolution
In a statement at the end of a meeting between Arik Air, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, and the Chairmen of the Aviation Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Anyim said that besides resolving all the issues, the two-hour meeting also agreed on a road map for smooth working operation among the warring parties. The meeting appealed to the two parties to cease all hostilities and apologised to all travellers for the inconveniences the dispute may have caused them.
He said: "We are pleased to announce that Arik Air can now resume operations. All issues in contention were discussed and resolved. On behalf of the Ministry of Aviation and the Management of Arik Air, we apologise to all travellers for the inconveniencies this unfortunate misunderstanding may have caused them."
Arik Air Denies Bribery Allegations
Shortly after the Abuja peace meeting, Arik Air declared that at no time did it allege that the aviation minister wanted five per cent equity in the carrier. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Chris Ndulue, told newsmen in Lagos that attributing any such allegation to Arik Air was frivolous.
On the Abuja peace talks, he said: "In the next two weeks another meeting will be scheduled. That was why in the initial instance, we called for federal government's intervention in the matter. We have received commitment from the agencies that we will continue to work together. It was a reconciliation meeting where all issues were resolved."
Concerns Over Central Bank Loan Restrictions
Ndulue also described the Central Bank's exclusion of some airlines from further bank loans until they clear outstanding ones as unhealthy for the business. He said the airline business is capital intensive and wondered how airlines could operate without loans. He explained that all the loans taken by Arik came from foreign banks and that Nigerian banks merely guaranteed such.
The aviation minister is already considering going to court over the allegation that she demanded a bribe from Arik. Her media assistant, Mr Joe Obi, dismissed the allegation as a fabrication, saying: "The five percent equity story is without any foundation whatsoever. It is absurd, malicious and ultimately laughable. The Minister of Aviation could not have contemplated acquiring a stake in any airline."
The resumption of operations marks a return to normalcy for the airline and its passengers, with a follow-up meeting scheduled within two weeks to ensure continued cooperation among all parties.
