The CEO of Arikair Capt. Roy Ilegbodu has urged government to prioritise the vaccination of workers in the aviation sector because they are front line personnel that are exposed to the virus, just like those in the medical profession.
He said this would help keep the economy running and enable more people to travel knowing they are safe.
Ilegbodu said this when he hosted the Publisher of Atqnews and Travellers Magazine Ambassador Ikechi Uko at his office.
Ikechi Uko was at the Arikair Head Office in Ikeja Lagos to personally deliver an invitation for the annual Abuja Jabamah travel event
Uko said the 2020 Travellers award would hold on the 27th of March in Abuja during Abuja Jabamah. Atqnews/Travellers have chosen Arikair as the Nigerian Airline of the Decade 2010 to 2020.
According to the citation read by Ikechi Uko to justify the choice of Arik as the Airline of Choice
“Arikair 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, USA, Johannesburg, South Africa, Dakar, Senegal,Banjul, Gambia,Accra, Ghana and Dubai,UAE along with Numerous Domestic Operations. Today it flies mainly within Nigeria. From the Fleet it inherited many aircraft are grounded but effectively using 6 Aircraft. Since AMCON took Over the Airline in 2017 many of the Leased Aircraft have been returned to the Owners or has been repossessed through Court Orders.
Four planes were returned to France. 2 Classic Airplanes abandoned in Europe were Seized by a European Supplier. Out of the Two A340 Planes one is Parked at the Airport in Lagos while the other is in Storage in France. Three Aircraft were Recovered by the Canadian Export Development Bank. A B737-800 went for C-check in Lithuania and there is now an 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.
In spite 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 Three Q400 Aircraft,Two CRJ-900 One B737-700 and Another B737-700 is 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 2500 staff but now has 1600 on payroll. 900 of those are at home because of the Covid-19 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.” Ambassador Ikechi Uko further said that it is hoped that Arik recovers and grows back to be the pride of Nigeria that it used to be.
Arik Air, he said is still a global brand from Nigeria and kudos goes to the founders of the airline and the workers who helped build the brand.
In his response Capt Roy thanked the organisers for the honour and promised that Arik Air would attend the awards in Abuja. He Commended the organisers for their consistency in promoting travel and tourism in Nigeria
