Nigeria: Arik Air Blasts FAAN Over Alleged N1.2bn Debt

Arik Air has condemned the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for alleging that it owed the agency an amount of N1.2bn, which lead to the suspension of the airline's operation in some parts of the country last week, a Vanguard report says.


According to Mr Adebanji Ola, PR and Communication Manager, Arik Air, “The latest action may not be unconnected with allegation of debt FAAN claimed Arik Air owed. The airline has described the debt figure by the agency as fictitious and malicious.”

“Arik Air insists that it does not owe FAAN any money since the agency’s charges are paid in advance. This has been the practice for over two years when all the aviation agencies introduced pay-as-you-go for their services. The bogus debt claim by FAAN is therefore unacceptable to Arik Air.”

“Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka had earlier stepped into the lingering debt issue between FAAN and Arik Air and had directed that a firm of auditors be engaged to reconcile the books. This process has not been concluded before the latest action by FAAN," he added.

Reacting, an FAAN official, Mrs Henrientta Yakubu said the disruption of the operation of the airline was carried out by FAAN workers Union over the N1billion debt owed by the airline.

She added that the Union and Arik reached an agreement after some hours and the airline later commenced full operation.