Arik Air Resumes Operations As FG Lifts Suspension

The court order stemmed from a $2.5 million debt owed by Arik Air to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

The federal government has lifted the suspension on Arik Air allowing the airline to resume operations starting Thursday.

This announcement was made by Michael Achimugu, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), via X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday.

“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, have successfully resolved the impasse between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum,” Mr Achimugu wrote.

“With this resolution, Arik Air will begin operations today,” he added.

The airline’s suspension was lifted after the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) grounded some of Arik Air’s aircraft on July 30, following a Federal High Court order.

The court order stemmed from a $2.5 million debt owed by Arik Air to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

Before the suspension was lifted, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had filed a motion on notice in response to the seizure of Arik Air’s aircraft and other assets by Atlas Petroleum International Ltd. and its sponsor over the airline’s indebtedness.