Aviation unions have urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the grounding of four Arik Air aircraft, requesting that aviation agencies lift the embargo. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) grounded the aircraft on July 30 due to a $2.5 million debt owed to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.
The unions, representing air transport employees, pilots, and engineers, expressed concern about the impact on passengers and the air travel sector. They noted that the grounding has exacerbated existing challenges and created frustration among passengers.
In an open letter to the president, the unions highlighted the potential consequences of the grounding, including job losses and economic hardship for Arik Air’s employees and dependents. They also warned that the grounding would lead to losses for third-party vendors and service providers, affecting the earnings of aviation agencies.
The unions appealed to the president to direct all parties involved to allow Arik Air to continue operations while the issues are addressed, citing a court order to maintain the status quo. They expressed confidence in the president’s administration and hoped for consistent involvement in aviation industry matters.
