Arik Air has debunked a rumour making the rounds of an unpleasant experience recounted by a passenger that travelled with the airline from Abuja to Benin City, the Edo State capital recently.
In a statement signed by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu made available to African Travel Times stated; ‘’Our attention has been drawn to stories published on social media claiming that Arik Air operations are unsafe following an incident last week’’.
According to Captain Ilegbodu, the incident referred to by the author of the article occurred in Abuja on the 8th of March 2021. For the records, the actions taken by the crew of the flight were strictly precautionary as the Pilot-in-Command of the aircraft took the necessary safety measures by returning the aircraft to land as they have been well trained to do in line with standard practice, after observing a cautionary indication light in the cockpit.
‘’Our aircraft are modern, next-generation aircraft equipped with redundancies and annunciators that enhance safe operations in all stages of flight’’.
He noted that in line with standard practice and being a responsible corporate organization notified the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA], who subsequently checked, certified, and returned to service the aircraft after all mandatory reports and processes had been fulfilled in accordance with global safety standards.
A retired pilot himself, he added that ‘’It is unfortunate that one R. Isenalumhe, a trained lawyer who raised the alarm displayed an unprofessional approach to this issue as he is not an expert to declare an aircraft unsafe’’.
‘’We had expected him to go the extra mile to investigate and ask probing questions from professionals in the industry or refer the incident to the appropriate regulatory body, the NCAA, if he felt so concerned about air safety. We wonder what his motive may be and Arik reserves the right to take action on this libelous and unprofessional conduct’’.
The airline also stated that Arik Air as an organization goes over and above safety standards in all facets of our operations.
‘’This is clearly evident in our over 14 years of operating as an airline. Safety is our cardinal policy and we will never operate an aircraft that is unsafe. We seize this opportunity to assure our esteemed customers of our unflinching commitment to safety which can never be compromised’’.
On the alleged neglect and pressure on the airline by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria [AMCON], on repayment, it denied that there was no truth to it by the aggrieved passenger, R. Isenalumhe, or on its pre-receivership debt to the detriment of the airline’s operation, but rather AMCON had provided funds and all forms of support to assist the airline in its operations.
By Lucky Onoriode George
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