Public confidence gradually returning to Arik Air- AMCON

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) said public confidence was gradually returning to Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier, Arik Air, barely two weeks after it took over the airline.
AMCON made the claim in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Jude Nwauzor, and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the airline was on Feb. 9 taken over by the Federal Government under the auspices of AMCON as a result of its debt profile of over N300 billion.
AMCON appointed Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert, to manage the airline under the receivership of Mr Oluseye Opasanya (SAN).
Nwauzor said the new management were confronted with a barrage of challenges, they had surmounted the problems, adding that they had been stabiliseing airline’s operations with the few aircraft on the fleet.

AMCON said unlike what obtained before the takeover, average On-Time-Performance (OTP) of Arik Air to different destinations had improved.
The corporation also claimed that Nigerian banks that hitherto turned their backs to Arik now cooperated and supported the new management.
According to the spokesman, engagement with international and local creditors has also been successful while discussions with critical service providers and industry stakeholders have yielded the much desired positive results.
“Arik has also paid the insurance premium, which was on the verge of expiring and ommenced the payment of outstanding salaries, which has greatly boosted staff morale as well as performance.
‘’Arik is also in discussion with different creditors and stakeholders to recall a good number of aircraft into the fleet, as soon as possible, which will increase the number of daily flights,” he said.
The corporation said that a good number of passengers affected by the suspension of flights to some routes had been refunded, adding that efforts were on to reach out to those yet to get their refunds.
Nwauzor further said that with the positive developments being witnessed in the operations of the airline since its takeover, customers of Arik, especially from the corporate circle, were gradually coming back.