Arik airplanes are currently grounded across the country leaving hundreds of its air travellers stranded, according to Sahara Reporters.
The airline has been unable to airlift passengers as none of its aircrafts have flown to any destinations in Nigeria, West Africa and other routes.
According to reports the airline’s current predicament is due to its indebtedness to major oil marketers who regularly supply aviation fuel.
A source said, aside Arik Airline’s inability to purchase aviation fuel, its insurers in Europe and elsewhere had withdrawn insurance cover from the airline forcing the airline to stop flight operations altogether.
A source said that Arik is currently owing its suppliers at least N3 billion, which has made them not to supply Jet A1 to the airline.
A passenger with the airline, Chris Amokwu said he had been at the Murtala Muhammed airport since 7:00am for a 7:30am flight to Abuja, but as at 1 pm, he was yet to know if he would eventually make the trip to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, the airline attributed its inability to operate to the scarcity of Jet A1 and poor weather condition.
However, checks show that Jet A1 is available in the local scene as airlines like Med-View, Air Peace and Landover Airways have been operating since morning despite the alleged scarcity of aviation fuel and poor weather by the airline.
Spokesman of the airline, Ola Adebanji when contacted, said he was not aware of the development as he was still bereaved, having lost his mother over the weekend.
Arik Air is the third airline to shut down flight operations in Nigeria in the last three weeks following the suspension of flights by Aero Contractors and First Nation.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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