JUST IN: After Dana Air, Aviation Minister Grounds Arik Air Fleet, Ticket Prices Expected to Rise

Tthe Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has grounded the operations of Arik Air. This decision comes just three months after the suspension of Dana Air.

Aviation analysts predict that this action will exacerbate the current shortage of aircraft in Nigeria, leading to reduced capacity and a rise in local airfares.

Arik Air’s CEO, Roy Ilegbodu, expressed strong disapproval of the minister’s decision, calling it “disastrous” and “unjust.” He criticized the move for disregarding ongoing judicial processes and prioritizing private interests over the public good.

“This is a devastating blow to our passengers, employees, and the Nigerian economy,” Ilegbodu stated. He emphasized the airline’s role in connecting people and facilitating commerce, particularly on crucial domestic routes, and warned that the grounding of the fleet would leave passengers stranded and inflate already high travel costs.

Ilegbodu also highlighted that the decision undermines the rule of law, pointing to an ongoing legal dispute involving Arik Air’s assets. He noted that a High Court order had instructed all parties to maintain the status quo, a directive he claims was ignored by the grounding order.

“We urge the authorities to reconsider this decision and lift the grounding order,” Ilegbodu pleaded, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to following the legal process and its faith in the judiciary to resolve the matter fairly.

Arik Air extended its gratitude to passengers and employees for their support during this challenging time and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

This development follows a similar pattern with Dana Air, indicating a turbulent period ahead for Nigeria’s aviation sector.