The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arik Air

  • Nigerian, Ghanaian authorities investigating Arik Air serious incident, says AIB

    Nigerian, Ghanaian authorities investigating Arik Air serious incident, says AIB

    Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Ghanaian authorities have commenced investigation into a serious incident on Arik Air Flight W3304 which occurred on March 6, 2018.

    The disclosure was made yesterday by Commissioner, AIB, Akin Olateru, an aircraft engineer in a statement.

    He confirmed that the indeed occurred and classified it as ‘serious incident’ in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13.

    Olateru thanked the concerned passenger(s) that reported the occurrence on social media, for being socially conscious citizen(s), and assured him/them and the flying public alike, that the institutions lawfully charged with the responsibility of investigating accidents and serious incidents by both countries (Nigeria and Ghana) are already conducting investigation

    on this serious incident, in accordance with strict ICAO Annex 13 on accident and serious investigation.

    As a well-informed society, he said AIB appreciates the contribution of Nigerians working as responsible partners with AIB to ensure accidents are promptly reported and investigated.

    His words, “We would appeal that Nigerians adopt the direct approach of reporting air accidents and serious incidents by downloading the AIB APPhttp://www.aib.gov.ng/news-events/aib-nigeria-mobile-application-how-to-download-the-app/  to their phones and tablets so that accidents and serious incidents can be promptly notified to the appropriate quarters in good time rather than resorting to social media public space, which often times, leaves room for speculations, misrepresentation and misinformation that do not support the global objective of safety but creates an unreasonable apprehension of fear in the public space”.

  • Arik Air explains smoke in cabin incident on Lagos – Accra flight

    Arik Air explains smoke in cabin incident on Lagos – Accra flight

    …….Dash 8 Q400 aircraft parked in Ghana for rectification, testing

     

    Arik Air on Friday gave clarifications on how unknown source of smoke was detected in the cabin of its Dash 8 Q400 aircraft that was on flight W3 304 from Lagos to Accra on March 6, 2018 forcing the pilot in command to declare an emergency 81 nautical miles to airport of disembarkation.

    According to its Public Rekations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, the pilot took the safety step in line with standard operating procedures .
    Ola said the captain of the flight briefed the passengers accordingly assuring them that the aircraft was under control and safe for landing in Accra.
    The aircraft, he said landed safely in Accra without further incident and all passengers disembarked normally.

    He said :” The aircraft is currently parked in Acrra and our team of engineers are conducting comprehensive inspections on the aircraft to ascertain the cause of the smoke, after which the aircraft will be flown without passengers to a maintenance facility for rectification and testing. The relevant aviation authorities in Ghana and Nigeria have been briefed appropriately on the incident.”

    But, a social media message posted by one of the passengers on board contradicted the position of the airline.

    The passenger recounted his experience thus :” I boarded Arik air flight W3304 to Accra on Tuesday 06/03/2018. The name of the aircraft is STEPHEN. It was a Dash 8 NextGen propeller aircraft. The flight took off precisely 7.20pm (Lagos time) 35 minutes into the 55 minutes flight, I started perceiving something smelling like a burning stuff.

    “Shortly after the guy sitting next to me asked if I perceived any smell of burning stuff and that confirmed my worst fears. Before you could say jack, smoke has filled the cabin. The air hostesses were busy scampering around opening the cabins and the lavatories to check if they could trace the source of the smoke without success.

    “While that continued, the oxygen masks that were always being advertised during the safety demo prior to take-off couldn’t be released instead we were handed tissue papers (otherwise called serviets) to use to cover our noses to minimize and filter out possible carbon monoxide inhalation.

    “About 5 minutes after, precisely with 15 minutes of flight time remaining, the pilot came on the public address system to inform us that they have smoke coming into the cabin and that they don’t know the source and that they have DECLARED EMERGENCY”.

    “At that point we knew that our lives were only in God’s hands. Everyone prayed to his/her Gods.

    “To the glory of God, the flight successfully landed by 8.15pm (7.15pm Accra time) to the waiting of several fire service trucks at Kotoko International airport, Accra.

    “We were evacuated into a waiting bus with instruction to leave everything behind in the cabin. Sadly there was no Arik official to address us neither was there any manner of first aid attention given to the passengers to manage stress and possible elevated blood pressures.

    “After a while our cabin luggage were brought to us and we had to leave from there to go through the Ghana immigration to our individual destinations.

    “I’m highly discouraged that this near crash major incident was not reported in the media 2 days after (today is 08/03/2018) and I suspect a cover up by Arik and the authorities. So I have chosen to use the social media to ensure this news gets out.

    “Kindly keep forwarding this message till everybody is made aware of the quality and kind of services Arik air gives and the possible cover ups before something terrible happens.

    “If anyone is in doubt, I can be reached through chymexus@yahoo.com and I can provide my phone number for further verification.”

  • Lawmakers visit Arik Air on fact-finding mission

    In its quest to ascertain the true state of things at Arik Air, the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon. Sir Jones Chukwudi Onyereri at the weekend led a delegation to the headquarters of the airline.

    The lawmaker during the unscheduled visit to the airline’s office had commended the present management of Arik Air for the good work they have done in turning around the fortunes of the Nigerian flag carrier.

    It may be recalled that the airline’s incumbent management led by Capt. Roy Ilegbodu as Chief Executive Officer assumed office in February of 2017 after the intervention of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in the airline, which prevented imminent death of the Arik Air.

    Speaking with journalists when he led members of the committee on surprise visit to Arik after a guided tour of the airline in Lagos, Onyereri stated that from what the team saw on ground, Nigerians stands reassured of the safety of Arik and its survival because Capt. Ilegbodu and his team have positioned the airline on the path to profitability, which he said will propel Arik to reclaim its prime spot in the aviation sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

    Onyeriri who spoke glowingly about Arik especially its aircraft spare parts store said he was satisfied with the fact that the airline has enough spare parts to carry on with seamless operations, which he stated is reassuring to the flying public.

    He added, “To the extent of safety, the amount of spares parts in Arik Airline’s store is huge, we are completely impressed. They have brand new tyres, spare engines and that is comforting enough.”

    Reacting to the rumour that there are chances of Arik Air being named the national carrier, the chairman said that was beyond the committee for now stating that there were so many things to be considered before such a development could happen.

    He also lauded the management style of Capt. Ilegbodu and his team, especially commending the adherence to transparency, accountability and strict global aviation best practices.

    It would be recalled that the committee earlier in February promised Nigerians that they will soon pay a visit to Arik and Aero airlines for what they described as on the spot assessment of recent positive developments at the two airlines since they were taking over by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) when he said, “We owe it a duty to Nigerians to visit some of the critical institutions AMCON was mandated to take over in the interest of the nation.”

  • Arik Air introduces ‘Super Saver’ fare on domestic routes

    Arik Air introduces ‘Super Saver’ fare on domestic routes

    Arik Air has introduced a “super saver” fare, which gives customers the benefit of making massive savings when they book early online to travel to any of the airline’s domestic routes.

    The airline, in a statement yesterday, said to travel to any destination within Nigeria, passenger can buy a one-way ticket from N16,000 provided such booking is made at least seven days before departure at www.arikair.com.

    The super saver fare is aimed at enabling more Nigerians experience air travel and reduce the stress of travelling by road, especially at night.

    It will also enrich family and friends visitation, while giving opportunities for small businesses to take advantage of the massive savings to enhance their businesses in the New Year.

    On the new fare, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, said: “We are constantly evolving ways of adding value to our services to be more customer-friendly and responsive to the yearnings of the traveling public. Air travel should not be an exclusive preserve and that is the reason for this low fare of N16,000 aimed at making air travel more affordable.

    “Our promise this year is that there will be something great and of interest for every customer of the airline.”

  • Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air on Tuesday announced that it was resuming flight operations on the Abuja-Calabar and Abuja-Uyo routes from December 15.

    Its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement.

    Adebanji said the airline was increasing its capacity ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations to enable customers celebrate the season with their families and friends.

    He said: “The capacity increase which will boost our key domestic routes, especially in the South East and South-South zones, takes effect from December 15 to run through January 14, 2018.

    “The main highlights of the new schedule are the resumption of Abuja to Calabar and Abuja to Uyo routes which were suspended earlier in the year.

    Read also: Arik air resumes Abuja-Accra flights July 17, says CEO

    “Arik Air will be flying daily from Abuja to Uyo and five times a week from Abuja to Calabar.

    “Similarly, the airline has increased its frequencies between Lagos to Calabar, Lagos to Uyo, Lagos to Enugu, Lagos to Owerri, Abuja to Enugu to daily flights.

    “It will operate the Lagos to Asaba route five times weekly during the period.”

    According to him, customers that want to fly Arik Air on the Lagos-Port Harcourt route now have an early morning ( 7 a.m. ) departure from Port Harcourt and late evening ( 5 p.m. ) flight from Lagos.

    Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu,  said the airline came up with the new schedules because of its love for its intending passengers.

    He said that Arik Air was aware that many Nigerians would like to seize the opportunity it offered to celebrate the Yuletide with their loved ones across the country.

    “As a caring airline, we have put measures in place to fly customers to their respective destinations during this festive season,” he said.

    NAN

  • Arik Air files N20b suit against Fed Govt, Ethiopian Airlines over ‘takeover bid’

    Arik Air files N20b suit against Fed Govt, Ethiopian Airlines over ‘takeover bid’

    Arik Air Limited has filled a N20 billion suit against the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines over claims in the media that they were negotiating the takeover of the airline.

    The suit was instituted by the airline at the Federal High Court, Lagos against Ethiopian Airlines, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    A copy of the suit, which was filed on September 6 by Arik Air’s counsel, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN), Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwigwe and Mrs. Ezinne Emedom, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

    In its statement of claim supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr. Chris Ndulue, a director with Arik Air, the plaintiff asked the court to restrain the first and second defendants from further negotiations on the airline takeover.

    The plaintiff noted that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had taken over the airline on February 8, which was challenged by its management via two suits already pending before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    According to the plaintiff, the negotiations by the defendants will render the outcome of the suits nugatory.

    “The plaintiff avers that the agreement of the second defendant with the first defendant will be wide ranging and intricately affect every aspect of the plaintiff herein, including but not limited to the day-to-day running technical as well as financial management, which will affect the plaintiff as being the largest domestic and regional airline in Nigeria.

    “The plaintiff further avers that the action taken by the first and second defendants will have a negative effect on the country’s image as the plaintiff being the largest airline will be pawned over to another country for management,” it said.

    The plaintiff also averred that the negotiations had caused undue hardship and irreparable damage to the Arik Air brand and ongoing investment discussions as well as unbearable distress to the airline’s shareholders and directors.

    It, therefore, asked the court to declare the negotiations null and void because the Ministry of Transportation had no power to transfer the management of the airline to Ethiopian Airlines while the suits over the takeover are pending.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order directing the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the investigation of Ethiopian Airlines by the appropriate authorities for inducing and interfering in the administration of justice in the pending suits.

    It added that if found culpable, the airline should be charged to court for criminal contempt, contrary to Section 133 (4) and (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, Cap C17,Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order compelling the Inspector General of Police to investigate the actions of the second defendant.

    It further asked the court for N20 billion being punitive damages against the first defendant for inducing or partaking in the interference of the rights of the plaintiff and the administration of justice.

    The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for hearing.

  • Arik Air files N20bn suit against FG, Ethiopian Airlines

    Arik Air files N20bn suit against FG, Ethiopian Airlines

    Arik Air Limited has filled a N20 billion suit against the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines over recent claims in the media that they were negotiating the takeover of the airline.

    The suit was instituted by the airline at the Federal High Court, Lagos against Ethiopian Airlines, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    A copy of the suit which was filed on Sept.6 by Arik Air’s counsel, Mr Babajide Koku (SAN), Mr Chukwuemeka Nwigwe and Mrs Ezinne Emedom, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

    In its statement of claim supported by a 20 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr Chris Ndulue, a Director with Arik Air, the plaintiff asked the court to restrain the first and second defendants from further negotiations on its takeover.

    The plaintiff noted that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria ( AMCON ) had taken over the airline on Feb. 8 which was challenged by its management via two suits already pending before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    According to the plaintiff, the suits numbers are FHC/L/CS/827/17 and FHC/L/CS/826/17, adding that the negotiations by the defendants will render the outcome of the suits nurgatory.

    “The plaintiff avers that the agreement of the second defendant with the first defendant will be wide ranging and intricately affect every aspect of the plaintiff herein, including but not limited to the day to day running technical as well as financial management which will affect the plaintiff as being the largest domestic and regional airline in Nigeria.

    “The plaintiff further avers that the action taken by the first and second defendants will have a negative effect on the country’s image as the plaintiff being the largest airline will be pawned over to another country for management,” it said.

    The plaintiff also averred that the negotiations had caused undue hardship and irreparable damage to the Arik Air brand and ongoing investment discussions as well as unbearable distress to the airline’s shareholders and directors.

    It, therefore, asked the court to declare the negotiations null and void because the Ministry of Transportation had no power to transfer the management of the airline to Ethiopian Airlines while the suits over the takeover are pending.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order directing the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the investigation of Ethiopian Airlines by the appropriate authorities for inducing and interfering in the administration of justice in the pending suits.

    It added that if found culpable, the airline should be charged to court for criminal contempt contrary to Section 133 (4) and (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, Cap C17,Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order compelling the Inspector General of Police to investigate the actions of the second defendant.

    It further asked the court for N20 billion being punitive damages against the first defendant for inducing or partaking in the interference of the rights of the plaintiff and the administration of justice.

    NAN reports that the suit is yet to be assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for hearing.

  • Ethiopian Airlines plans to take over Arik

    Ethiopian Airlines plans to take over Arik

    The Management of Ethiopian Airlines has submitted a formal proposal to take charge of troubled carrier Arik Air, which accounts for more than half of air passenger in Nigeria, according to official statistics.

    Speaking to the media, Esayas WoldeMariam, Ethiopian Airlines’ managing director of international services, said the airline has outlined its terms and conditions to the Nigerian government and waiting for its response on the matter.

    “We are capable and desirous of handling the airline,” WoldeMariam noted without specifying details of the offer.

    The Ethiopian Airline chief said he expects competition for Arik from international airlines.

    Arik is operated by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since government’s bailout in February.

    The bailout was forced by a prolonged crisis occasioned by cancelled services, unpaid staff salaries and mounting debt.

    Arik’s Managing Director, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, said in August the company had stabilized under AMCON’s leadership, with “services running smoothly and salaries paid.”

  • ‘AMCON not discussing Arik Air with Ethiopian Airlines’

    ‘AMCON not discussing Arik Air with Ethiopian Airlines’

    The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday said it was not discussing with Ethiopian Airlines to render management services to Arik Air.

    In a statement, AMCON Head, Corporate Communications, Jude Nwauzor, said the corporation was not aware of any ‘current discussion or negotiation with the management of Ethiopian Airlines regarding Arik Air Limited’.

    He said Arik Air was placed in receivership last February, following the airline’s inability to repay debts in excess of N300 billion to AMCON and other creditors in and outside Nigeria.

    The receivership team has within the period stabilised the operations of the airline, marked by stability of schedules; improved On-Time-Performance (OTP) and revamped customer service among others. AMCON said the airline has regained its dominance as the most reliable carrier in the country with growing passenger patronage and confidence.

    AMCON said the general public and all stakeholders will be kept duly informed on issues relating to the airline’s divestment plan.

    “Our attention has been drawn to a barrage of media reports, which claimed that there are discussions going on with Ethiopian Airlines for the carrier to render management services to Arik.

    “Contrary to these reports, AMCON is not aware of any current discussion or negotiation with the management of Ethiopian Airlines regarding Arik Air Limited (Arik),” the statement read.

     

  • Middle East group to invest in Arik Air

    Middle East group to invest in Arik Air

    Shareholders of Arik Air have started discussions with a major investor to offset its debts to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and other creditors, it was learnt yesterday.

    It was gathered that shareholders have met with other investors, but has reached a firm commitment with a Middle East-based conglomerate, with headquarters in Dubai, with interest to do business in Africa.

    The company, it was learnt, has voted funds to invest in airline business, power and agriculture, and it was attracted to Arik Air. According to the source, both firms started negotiations last week in London, and have reached some commitments.

    The negotiation was confirmed by Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, in a telephone interview.

    Arumemi-Ikhide said the investor has begun negotiations with shareholders and so far, the discussions have been fruitful.

    “We have been discussing with investors. We are having serious discussion with this organisation, which is based in the Middle East, because they have a package to invest in Africa and take advantage of the region’s growing economy.

    “They are interested in expanding our operations and will give us additional airplanes to augment the six we ordered from Boeing,” a source said.

    AMCON said Arik Air owed it N263.7 billion but the airline argued that its total debt exposure, including that of international creditors and local debts, amounted to N160 billion, which represents 16.4 per cent of its value put at $3.2 billion by Deloitte UK in 2013.

    It is expected that the new investor will offset Arik’s debts and provide it with operational funds once modalities have been reached.