Ebun Francis
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) who took over the management of Arik Airline late last week said it had discovered deep rooted rot at embattled airline and it would require over N10 billion to fix the rot before the largest local carrier could resume full and uninterrupted flight operations to its regular routes across the country and beyond
AMCON made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday signed by its Spokesman, Mr Jude Nwauzor.
The statement explained that the situation was so dire that only nine aircraft out of the 30 in the fleet of the airlines were operational.
According to the statement, “As if these problems are not enough, the airline does not have money to procure aviation fuel for the nine operational aircrafts because no dealer wants to sale aviation fuel to Arik if it is not on cash-and-carry basis.
“This also calls for public understanding because flight schedules may be realigned based on the nine aircrafts that are available, technically sound and ready for flight operation.”
The statement also noted that that Arik was exposed to its technical partners and was in perpetual default in its lease payments and insurance premium, leading to regular and embarrassing squabbles with different business partners.
“All these problems in addition to huge staff salaries, which have remained unpaid for 11 months; vendors that supply different items to Arik Air that are also owed means that Nigerians may have to tarry-a-while to allow the new management clean up the huge mess at the airline before Arik would finally resume uninterrupted flight,’’ It said.
The statement quoted Ilegbodu as reassuring Nigerians that these issues; though daunting, would be gradually resolved to enable Arik Air, which carries about 55 per cent of the load in the country recover the 21 aircraft.
According to Ilegbodu, once all the aircrafts are back to the fleet, Arik Air will within the shortest possible time regain its pride of place as a leader among the comity of airlines in Nigeria.
It, therefore, called for public understanding as the management begins the tough job of ensuring that Arik is returned to full operational capacity.
