Lagos-based Arik Air has removed the last Bombardier CRJ1000 following a decision by aircraft lessors JEM and Export Development Canada to sell the regional jet.
Continued controversy
As reported by local media, the nine-year-old aircraft, registered 5N-JEE, has been sold to an unnamed party intending to dismantle the jet. The decision was confirmed in a statement published by Nigerian PR firm SY&T Communications on behalf of Arik Air, clarifying that the airline intended to continue operations,
“Arik Air would like to assure all stakeholders, including passengers, partners, and the general public, that the decision by the owner and financier of the Aircraft will not impact Arik’s operations or compromise its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and convenient air travel services.”
Arik Air previously operated a relatively modest fleet, primarily of Boeing 737s, CRJ family aircraft, and De Havilland Canada DHC-8 turboprops; however, figures have declined over the past several years. According to ch-aviation, the carrier operates just active two active aircraft, a 14-year-old 737-800, registered 5N-MJQ, and a 25-year-old DHC-8-Q400, registered 5N-BKU. Two other aircraft are reported to be airworthy, while at least ten have either been grounded due to poor maintenance or recalled to lessors, according to Nairametrics.
Arik Air's future
As of June 2023, Arik Air holds outstanding orders for eight 737 MAX 8 jets and nine 787 Dreamliners, though the carrier's continued management by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has raised some questions over the future of Arik Air and its fleet plans. Despite a cash injection of upwards of NGN375 billion ($80 million) from AMCON, Arik Air has continued to decline in scale. Staffing figures have notably dropped, decreasing from almost 3,300 employees in 2017 to just 500 in 2023.
Through AMCON, any of the airline's assets have since passed to startup carrier NG Eagle, based out of Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), though not without controversy. In March, Nigerian courts ruled that the transfer of assets to NG Eagle and Super Bravo be set aside, citing bad faith and a violation of duty under Nigeria's Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2020. The startup airline was sold onwards from AMCON earlier this year, amid a loss of $53.4 million within six months due to failure to obtain its Air Operators Certificate (AOC). In April, NG Eagle reported it had received an AOC. However, a spokesperson for Nigeria's civil aviation authority (NCAA) disputed the claims.
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It is unclear if the airline will be rebranded under its new ownership. Local media has speculated that NG Eagle may be launched as a new national carrier if Nigeria Air is to fail.
NG Eagle has already taken delivery of two 737 aircraft, while a third ex-Arik Air 737 was spotted being at Ethiopian Airlines' maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Addis Ababa (ADD) back in 2021. The airline has yet to announce an official launch date.
Have you flown with Arik Air? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: Punch, Nairametrics, Vanguard, LEADERSHIP, Business Day