One of Nigeria’s largest airline operators Arik has shut down all operations across the country as it is unable to buy aviation fuel. Thousands of travellers who booked Arik are currently stranded across several Nigerian cities.
According to Sahara Reporters, “the massive debts of the airline to major oil marketers who regularly supply aviation fuel is partially responsible for the current situation of the airline”. A source told the news outlet that in addition to the airline’s inability to buy for fuel, its insurers in Europe and elsewhere had withdrawn insurance cover from the airline forcing the airline to stop flight operations altogether.
It is noted that none of Arik’s aeroplane has left any destination since early Tuesday morning. The amount owed by the airline is cited at N3 billion.
A source close to the oil marketers told our correspondent that the airline is a bad debtor as it currently owes at least N3 billion to all its suppliers, a situation, which has made them not to supply Jet A1 to the airline.
Arik Air is the third airline to shut down flight operations in Nigeria in the last three weeks following the suspension of flight by Aero Contractors and First Nation.