The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, ANAP, and the National Union of Pensioners in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN branch, have called on the Minister of Aviation to stop the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, from issuing Air Operator’s Certificate to a new airline called Nigeria Eagle, NG Eagle.
In a statement signed by the General Secretaries of the two unions, Comrades Abdulrazak Saidu and Emeka Njoku says, the new airline transforming from Arik Air to NG Eagle is indebted to aviation service provider to the tune of N19 billion.
According to them, their call to stop the AOC issuance to the new airline is to avoid a repeat of Bellview Air transforming to FirstNation which eventually died with the debts.
“Arik Airlines has been owing for services rendered by Aviation Service providers to the tune of #19 Billion Naira which they agreed but refused to pay”.
The aviation unions alleged that, Arik Air took over majority of the property of the former liquidated Nigerian Airways for a ridiculous amount while other landed property were shared among their friends and cronies.
The union scribe’s have therefore informed all Aviation Staff across the country to prepare for a show down with Arik Airlines as a result of the huge indebtedness of the airline to Aviation service providers which is now affecting operation services.
“It has equally affected Aviation Staff negatively to carry out the duties and responsibilities to other Airlines and passengers in general”.
Meanwhile, in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, one of Arik’s Aircraft Boeing 737-700 is having its livery changed to NG Eagle at the Ethiopian airlines Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, MRO.
The Director General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, two weeks ago at a news conference confirmed that, NG Eagle was one of the new airline in the final phase of the acquisition of its AOC.