Home » Africa: Arik Airlines Aviation Company wins Airline of the Decade 2010-2020 in Nigeria

Africa: Arik Airlines Aviation Company wins Airline of the Decade 2010-2020 in Nigeria

by Atqnews
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Arik vaccination

CEO of Arik, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu and CEO Akwaaba African Travel Market and organiser Abuja Jabamah, Mr Ikechi Uko at the airline’s office in Lagos

By Ikechi Uko

Today I was at the Arik Air Head Office in Ikeja Lagos to Personally Deliver an invitation for our Annual Abuja Jabamah to the CEO of Arik, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu. The award ceremony will hold on the 27th of March in Abuja during Abuja Jabamah.

Atqnews has chosen Arik Air as the Nigerian Airline of the Decade. Arik started operations in 2006.

Arik was once the biggest Airline in West Africa with 30 Aircraft in its fleet flying to London, UK, New York in USA, Johannesburg in South Africa, Dakar in Senegal, Banjul in Gambia, Accra in Ghana and Dubai in UAE along with numerous domestic operations.

Today it flies only in Nigeria with about 23 in its fleet but effectively using 6 aircraft. Since AMCON took over the airline in 2017, many of the aircraft have been returned to the owners or have been repossessed through Court Orders.

L-R: General Manager, Corporate Communications, Arik Air, Mr Banji Ola, CEO of Arik, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu and CEO Akwaaba African Travel Market and organiser Abuja Jabamah, Mr Ikechi Uko at the airline’s office in Lagos

4 planes were returned to Air France, 2 Classic Airplanes abandoned in Europe were reposed by a European supplier. Out of the 2 A340 one is parked at the airport in Lagos while the other is in storage in France. 3 Aircraft were recovered by the Canadian Export Development Bank. A B737-800 went for C-check in Lithuania and there is attempt by Lufthansa to seize it. Another B737-800 is abandoned in South Africa. So many creditors are trying to seize as many of the assets as they could lay their hands on.

Inspite of all these troubles Arik is still the biggest Airline Brand out of Nigeria. Even with the shrunk fleet it is still one of the Biggest Airlines in West Africa.

It has 3 Q400 aircraft, 2 CRJ-900, one B737-700 and another B737-700 expected back from Checks soon.

Before AMCON took over Arik it was indebted to a lot of firms. They are all trying to seize one asset or another. So far the managers have managed the situation well.

Arik is in receivership and inherited 2,500 staff but now has 1,600 on payroll. 900 of those are at home because of the Covid19 Lockdown fallout. Some are getting called back as soon as more activities are added. They are paid some allowances while at home. The Airline has so far proved resilient. It has also demystified the myth that no Nigerian Airline with 10 Aircraft last beyond 10 years.

It is hoped that Arik recovers and grow back to be the pride of Nigeria that it used to be.

Arik still remains a Pride of Nigeria. Kudos goes to the Founders and the Workers who helped build the Brand.

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