Hundreds of local passengers were stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Thursday as the country’s largest commercial carrier, Arik Air, decided to suspend its domestic flights after aviation unions disrupted activities at the airport.
According to the report, The President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr. Benjamin Okewu, told journalists on Thursday that the unions decided to ground the operations of Arik over alleged failure to pay service charges it owed government agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; Nigerian Airspace Management Agency; and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The statement by the airline read, “Due to persistent hostility of the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, which has culminated in the use of FAAN staff to stop Arik Air operations and lock in checked-in passengers in Lagos this morning, Arik Air has no option than to suspend all domestic operations until further notice.
“This issue bears on personal interests and not payment of bills; since FAAN has been collecting its charges in advance since 18 months now. Arik Air regrets the inconveniences this disruption by FAAN would cause our guests”.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Mr. Akin Olukunle, stated that the management was taken aback by the action of the unions and described it as counter-productive.
“The management wishes to inform the public that it was not aware of any plan by the unions to embark on the said industrial action as the management considered it to be counter-productive to the current efforts being made by management to recover debts owed FAAN by Arik Airlines and other customers…” (Story Credit-Punch)
Me, I don’t understand all these beaurocratic jingoism abi na political gimmick. One thing I know is that when two elephant fights, na the ground dey suffer. Chikena!
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