NAAPE seeks urgent action as grounded Arik Air fleet causes economic hardship
Arik Air
NAAPE seeks urgent action as grounded Arik Air fleet causes economic hardship
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene as the Arik Air fleet was grounded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
NAAPE in a statement that was made available to Dailyeconomy by its General Secretary, Olayinka Abioye, noted that the action that has been taken since July 30, 2024, has created anguish and severe frustration among Arik Air’s passengers heightening the already challenging air travel situation in the country and emphasised that amidst current socio-economic challenges, the move could worsen the forbearance strains, negatively impacting a wide range of stakeholders including third-party vendors and service providers such as airports, aviation agencies and caterers.
NAAPE in the statement underscored the plight of passengers with both short and long-term bookings who may not afford alternative flights and expressed grave concern for the 2000 workers of the Airline and their about 16,000 dependents who are involved in this plight.
The statement reads in part, “We are particularly concerned about the fate of the 2,000, 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. This is apart from losses of other third-party vendors and service providers – airports, aviation agencies, ground handlers, fuelers, 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 to attachment to any writ that might have occasioned the grounding of the airline as the fleet of aircraft does not belong to Arik Air as such, it being lien belonging to secured creditors.”
However, NAAPE according to the statement appealed to Tinubu for immediate intervention and requested that all parties, especially government agencies, be directed to allow Arik Air to resume operations while the issues are being resolved.
“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 succour to our troubled dear nation, and we hope that your administration will always carry our Unions along in matters connected with the aviation industry,” the statement added.
