It has been reported that Arik Air, the
Senate Committee on Aviation’s recommended national carrier, this
morning suspended all its flights out of Lagos leaving passengers at the Murtala
Muhammed Airport stranded.
Several accounts of the cause of the suspension has been
reported in the media. The Will reports that all Arik Air flights have been
grounded by labour unions over unpaid dues to them. It further stated that
Aviation Union leaders and their members stormed the domestic wing of the
Murtala Muhammed Airport as early as 7.am this Thursday 20th September, 2012 to
block the carrier from operating its normal flights out of Lagos.
In another report, Premium Times said the flight suspended all its
domestic operations due to the “persistent hostility of the Ministry of
Aviation and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) management.”
The Airline’s claim of suspending its local
operations differ from reports that the Airline was officially shut by the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, over an N18 billion debt the airline
owes the aviation authority.
Premium Times further noted that the action has
affected the Abuja and Port-Harcourt Airports as well. Hundreds of
passengers across the country are now stranded as a result of the
suspension.
This news coming barely 24 hours after the Senate Committe
on Aviation recommended the Airline as Nigeria’s national flag carrier
has brought up heated debates.
Photo Credit: The Will
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