The management of Arik Air has suspended one of its staff caught by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) asking for bribe at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International, Lagos, pending further investigations.
Mr Ola Adebanji, Manager, PR/Communications at Arik Air, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
NAN reports that on Nov. 9, FAAN apprehended the staff while soliciting bribe from a passenger at the airport in Lagos.
Consequently, the On Duty Card, ODT, of the staff has been withdrawn by FAAN and handed over to the relevant security agency for appropriate action in order to serve as a deterrent to other ”bad eggs in the airport.”
Adebanji said: “While the management conducts its own internal investigation, we wish to reassure FAAN of our cooperation on this matter if further investigation is required.
“We are fully in support of what FAAN is doing to rid our airports of this menace of corruption.

The management of Arik Air have announced the resumption of flights to Warri from both Lagos and Abuja with effect from Aug. 3.

Arik’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, who made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, in Lagos, added that upon resumption, the airline would operate four flights a week from Abuja and Lagos on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Ilegbodu also announced that Arik also would be moving its Benin and Warri flights from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, otherwise known as the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, effective from Aug. 2, 2021.

The chief executive officer stated that all Arik flights to and arriving from both Benin and Warri would henceforth operate from the MMA2 as from the date.

“We are delighted to announce the resumption of services to Warri, to serve our esteemed customers. Our decision to move Benin and Warri flights to MMA2 is also to give customers a seamless check-in experience.”

He advised customers to take advantage of the airline’s online booking platform (www.arikair.com) to access the best fares available.

The Management of Arik Air says it is resuming direct flights from the nation’s commercial capital, Lagos to the ancient city of Kano effective from April 27, 2021.

Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday that the three weekly flights would operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Ilegbodu said the decision to reintroduce direct flights between Lagos and Kano was informed by the importance of both cities as centres of commerce.

He said that Arik Air had always been known for the promotion of economic activities among the components states of Nigeria.

Ilegbodu said: “We are pleased to announce the return of services to the ancient city of Kano. Our flights will offer our customers the advantage of direct air travel between Lagos and Kano.

“Customers on this route should expect the traditional Arik Air hospitality and exceptional services that have become the hallmark of the airline,” he said.

Arik Air said on Sunday it had donated sundry items to Old People’s Homes, Orphanages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country.

Mr Adebanji Ola, its Public Relations and Communications Manager, in a statement in Lagos, said that the gesture was part of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

”The items donated included rice, beans, noodles, spaghetti, beverages, detergents and bed sheets, the statement said.

It listed the beneficiaries to include Holy Family Home for the Elderly, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin, Lagos, and the Amazing Grace Foundation Old People’s Home, Kado, Abuja.

Others are Jesus Orphanage and Widow’s Home, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt; Hope Motherless Babies Home, Idofian, Kwara State; Malkohi IDPs camp, Yola, and Uhogua IDPs camp, Benin City.

Ola, who personally led the airline’s team on the visits to the benefitting outfits, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the gesture was the carrier’s little way of showing love to the less privileged when the world was celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“It has become a tradition for Arik Air to render assistance to the needy, especially during festive periods,” he said, urging governments at all levels and other well-meaning Nigerians to extend similar hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society.

He said that at the Amazing Grace Foundation Old People’s Home, the founder, Mrs Ifeyinwa Obegolu, thanked Arik Air for sowing into the lives of the elderly people, widows and traumatised victims of domestic living in the facility.

“At the Jesus Orphanage Home, Port Harcourt, the children were full of excitement and prayed for the well-being of both the staff and management of Arik Air,” he said.

Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air, has called for the immediate vaccination of aviation workers as COVID-19 frontline workers.

Ilegbodu made this call when he hosted the Publisher of Atqnews and organiser AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market, Mr Ikechi Uko, at his office on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ilegbodu, in a statement issued by Uko, said that prompt vaccination of aviation workers would help keep the economy running and enable people travel knowing they were safe.

Uko was at Arik Air office to deliver an invitation for the annual Abuja Jabamah travellers award which Arik Air had been chosen as the Nigerian airline of the decade, from 2010 to 2020.

He said the award was slated for March 27, as he justified the choice of Arik Air as the airline of choice.

“Arik Air started operations in 2006 and was once the biggest airline in West Africa with 30 aircraft in its fleet.

”’The fleets were flying to London-UK, New York-USA, Johannesburg, South Africa, Dakar, Senegal, Banjul, Gambia, Accra-Ghana and Dubai-UAE along with numerous domestic operations.

“Today, it flies mainly within Nigeria, from the fleet it inherited, many aircrafts are grounded but effectively using six aircrafts.

“Since the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the airline in 2017, many of the leased aircraft have been returned to the owners or has been repossessed through court orders.

“Four planes were returned to France and two classic airplanes abandoned in Europe were seized by an European supplier.

”Out of the two A340 planes, one was parked at the airport in Lagos while the other was in storage in France,” he said.

Uko noted that three aircraft were recovered by the Canadian Export Development Bank, as a B737-800 went for C-check in Lithuania and there was now an attempt by Lufthansa to seize it.

He said another B737-800 had been abandoned in South Africa and so many creditors were trying to seize as many of the assets as they could lay their hands on.

“In spite of all these troubles, Arik Air is still the biggest airline brand out of Nigeria, even with the shrunk fleet, it is still one of the biggest airlines in West Africa.

“It has three Q400 aircraft, two CRJ-900, one B737-700 and another B737-700 is expected back from checks soon.

“Before AMCON took over Arik, it was indebted to a lot of firms, they are all trying to seize one asset or another, so far, the managers have managed the situation well.

” Arik is in receivership and inherited 2,500 staff but now has 1,600 on payroll, 900 of those are at home because of the COVID-19 lockdown fallout.

”Some are being called back as soon as more activities are added, they are paid some allowances while at home,” he said.

Uko noted that the airline had so far proved resilient as well as demystified the myth that no Nigerian airline with 10 aircraft last beyond 10 years.

He said it was hoped that Arik recovers and grows back to be the pride of Nigeria that it used to be.

” Arik is still a global brand from Nigeria, Kudos goes to the Founders of the Airline and the workers who helped build the brand,” he said.

In his response, Capt. Ilegbodu thanked the organisers for the honour and promised that Arik Air would attend the awards in Abuja.

He also commended the organisers for their consistency in promoting travel and tourism in Nigeria.

The Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has expressed shock over the sack of 300 Arik Air workers and faulted the management for taking “irrational decision’’.

Mr Innocent Atasie, ATSSSAN Chairman, Arik Air Branch, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

The management of Arik Air on Dec. 4, relieved 300 members of staff of their appointments.

Atasie said that the management’s decision to sack was “unacceptable and ridiculous”.

According to him, the union is still discussing with the management on workers’ matters and there is ongoing negotiation.

“Since the management has taken the position to go ahead and sack our members, we will also go ahead and effect action.

“I am just hearing that Arik Air management has sacked 300 workers now. Well, the management is fighting back. We will also fight back.

“Sacking workers is not lasting solution to the problem.

“But, if that’s the management’s strategies to lay off workers without consultations and deliberation, they are not ready to resolve the issues,’’ he said.

The management of Arik Air says it has leased a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from Eznis Airways to boost its operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eznis Airways is a scheduled and charter airline based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, said in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday that the leased aircraft arrived in Nigeria on Nov. 21.

Ilegbodu said that the aircraft, which would be deployed into service from Dec. 2, would enable Arik Air return to some routes which were suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is expected that the aircraft will boost Arik Air’s fleet in readiness for the yuletide season.

“We are pleased to announce the additional airplane to boost our operations and ensure we provide seamless and efficient service to our customers in this season,” Ilegbodu said.

Arik Air says it will resume limited flights to some destinations where there are no curfew on Oct. 23.

Mr Adebanji Ola, the Communications Manager of the airline, said this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

He said that specifically, the airline would be operating flights from its second hub in Abuja to Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Benin, Kano and Yola.

According to him, on Friday, Arik Air would operate one flight each from Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja to Port Harcourt, Ilorin and Kano.

“Also on Saturday, the airline will operate one flight each from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin and Yola.

“The airline had on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, suspended all flights due to the 24-hour curfew announced by the Lagos State government.

“Flights from Lagos to other parts of the country will, however, resume upon the lifting of the 24-hour curfew by the Lagos state government,” he said.

The management of Arik Air says it has extended the cancellation of flight operations due to the curfew in Lagos State and some other parts of the country.

Mr Adebanji Ola, the Communications Manager of the airline, said this in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday.

Ola said that all scheduled flights had, therefore, been cancelled until the lifting of the 24-hour curfew by the government.

He said that the airline had earlier cancelled all scheduled flights for Oct. 21 due to the 24-hour curfew announced by the Lagos State government on Tuesday.

He said Arik Air regretted whatever inconvenience the cancellation might have caused its customers.

The manager said further updates on flight operations would be given as required.

The management of Arik Air says full flight operations are back, following resolution of the picketing embarked upon by a section of the workers’ union on Monday.

Operations of Arik Air was shut down on Sept.14 by Aviation unions.

The unions were protesting against alleged non-payment of staff salaries since April, placing 90 per cent of the workforce on compulsory leave and other anti-labour practices.

The Manager, Communications of Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji, said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that normal flights had since resumed.

Adebanji said: “We regretted the untold inconvenience caused by the disruption.

“We seize the opportunity to assure you of our continued commitment to your safety and wellbeing as our valued customers.

“Our major domestic hubs at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, are fully operational and flights are available for you to connect to your destinations seamlessly.

“We currently operate flights to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Asaba, Kano, Yola, Ilorin and Jos.

“It’s our intention to give you more flexibility in your travel plans by expanding our network in the near future.

“Our safety and on time records remain unsurpassed, and we remain fully committed to sustaining these standards,” he said.

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