NAAPE Union Grounds Arik Air Operations Over N1 Billion Debt, Leaving Passengers Stranded

Nigerian airline Arik have been forced to stop operations when protesters from the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) picketed against various grievances at the Murtala Muhammed Airport. Protesters, numbering over a hundred had stormed the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and successfully grounded the operations of the airline over claims that Arik owes over N1 Billion to the various aviation agencies.

The Unions also claimed that they owe over 5 months of salary to workers. Unfortunately this led to passengers being stranded at various airports across the country.

The terminal was deserted during and after the protest as many who had been booked on Arik flights had to seek an alternative while many others went back home.

The airline is yet to comment on the disruption of its operations as this has been a recurring issue between the airline and the unions who have traded accusations and counter accusations over the exact amount the airline is said to owe various aviation agencies.