The NCAA had issued a statement through its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, explaining that it did not suspend the airline’s operations but only grounded the aircraft in its fleet in accordance with court order, pending the resolution of the case between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum.
It stated that the suspension earlier announced did not affect the airline’s ability to operate its remaining fleet.
This is contained in a statement signed by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Friday in Abuja.
According to Achimugu, the NCAA is duty-bound to comply with the court order attaching Arik Air’s aircraft (5NMJF, 5NMJQ, and 5NBKX) following the determination of its case at the Supreme Court and to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.
The NCAA said:
“It is important to clarify that the action does not include the suspension of Arik Air’s overall operations by either the NCAA or the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development as claimed in some quarters."
“The NCAA is duty-bound to comply with the court order attaching Arik Air’s aircraft (5NMJF; 5NMJQ; 5NBKX) following the determination of its case at the Supreme Court and to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards."
However, a Controversy has followed the claim by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that it did not suspend the operations of Arik Air. multiple sources within Arik Air, have accused the NCAA of mischief for denying that it did not ground the airline’s operations.
“NCAA is being clever by half because it knows that it has grounded all its fleet. The statement issued by the NCAA referred to three aircraft, but the court directed the grounding of its four aircraft.
“The airline has three operational aircraft: One Boeing B737-800; another Boeing B737-700; one Bombardier Dash 8-Q400, which is fully operational; and one standby aircraft, a Bombardier Dash 8-Q400."
“NCAA is trying to create the impression that it has not suspended our operations when it knows that it has grounded all our fleet, citing Court order,” one of the sources explained.
Related article.....
