Ministry of aviation suspends arik air operations indefinitely over debts

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed that Arik Air’s fleet was grounded due to a $2.5 million debt and in adherence to a Supreme Court ruling.

According to a statement from Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NAMA, the agency and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development were notified of the court’s decision. The grounding follows Arik Air’s debt to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd., which led to the attachment of its aircraft.

On July 19, 2024, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court enforced the court order related to the debt, scheduling a public auction of Arik Air’s aircraft for July 26, 2024, if the debt remained unpaid.

Arik Air had appealed a Lagos State High Court decision to the Court of Appeal on March 8, 2016, but the appeal was dismissed on September 30, 2021. The airline’s request to appeal to the Supreme Court was denied on January 9, 2024. Consequently, the Lagos State High Court’s judgment was registered with the FCT High Court.

On June 26, 2024, Honorable Justice O. A. Adeniyi ordered the attachment of Arik’s movable properties, including its aircraft, to satisfy the debt. This order and the judgment certificate were served to NAMA and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

While Arik Air obtained an ex parte order to halt further execution, it had not yet been formally served. To comply with the Supreme Court ruling and prevent tampering, NAMA has grounded the aircraft.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is fully aware of the Supreme Court’s ruling and is committed to upholding it. NAMA encourages all parties to resolve the matter swiftly so that Arik Air can resume operations.