Saturday, September 22, 2012

► NIGERIA: Arik Air & Nigerian Government kiss and make up; ops to resume tomorrow.

Arik AirAfter a two hour meeting between the board of directors of Nigeria's Arik Air (W3) and Ministers from the Nigerian Federal Government in a bid to resolve Thursday's impasse and suspension of flights, Arik Air have stated, via their website, that they will be resuming flights tomorrow Sunday 23 September 2012, after presumably, reaching an agreement.


"We are happy to inform our passengers that all domestic flights will resume from tomorrow Sunday 23 September. We invite our respected guests to book their tickets now. Thank you for flying Arik Air."
Source [Arik Air]

Correspondingly, Nigerian Secretary to the Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said in a press statement:
STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, SENATOR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON AFTER THE RESOLUTION OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN AGENCIES UNDER THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AVIATION AND THE MANAGEMENT OF ARIK AIR.

1. A meeting chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and attended by the two Chairmen of the Aviation Committees of the National Assembly, the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Chief Arthur Eze and the Management of Arik Air held for about two hours today the 22nd of September, 2012 at the office of the SGF;
2. All issues in contention were discussed and resolved;
3. A road map for the smooth working together of both parties were also agreed upon;
4. We use this opportunity to appeal to both parties to eschew every provocation that may have arisen as a result of this unfortunate misunderstanding. Accordingly, all the exchange of accusations and allegations are vitiated and so of no consequence;
5. On behalf of the Ministry of Aviation and the Management of Arik air, we apologise to all travellers for the inconveniences this unfortunate misunderstanding may have caused them.
6. We are pleased to announce that Arik Air can now resume operations.
Signed,
Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Source [Aviation Minister Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi Facebook]

How long this truce will last is anyone's guess.