Arumemi-Ikhide, Arik Air Chairman Seeks Aviation Industry Overhaul

Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, chairman, Arik Air has called on the Federal Government to overhaul the aviation industry by swiftly address the wrath currently being witnessed due to systemic corruption.

He made the call during a press briefing to mark the airline’s 7th anniversary, adding that the Federal Government should especially beam it’s searchlight on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over corruption and systemic deficiency.

Arumemi-Ikhide alleged as unimaginable that in Nigeria lately, AOCs were being issued to “airlines” through phone calls by NCAA without physical examination and documentation of applicants.

As for the FAAN, the Arik Air boss, as reported by Nigeriancommercial Aviationnews, said that the Authority was fond of heaping frivolous and unverifiable bills on its customers which had often led to fractions, adding that issues like this had earlier been reported to the Senate.

Apart from this, Arik Air chairman said it was only in Nigeria that an Airport Authority funded by tax payers money would brazenly discriminate against Nigerian registered airlines in favour of foreign airlines in the allocation of check-in counters and aircraft parking slots.

Specifically, he said if checks were carried out at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, one would discover that foreign airlines were allocated much more check- in counters than those allocated to Nigerian registered airlines thereby making passengers facilitation of Nigerian carriers difficult and choking.

Sir Arumemi-Ikhide noted that if Nigerian aviation was to thrive, priority must be given to Nigerian registered airlines in all ramifications so as to regain the country’s pride by encouraging Nigerian travellers including public officials to patronise Nigerian registered airlines.

He said: “It is high time we do away with our colonial mentality, patronise our own services and regain our pride. As at now, we have no pride and the agencies of government such as FAAN contributed a lot in demeaning Nigeria through its discriminatory tendencies in favour of foreign carriers”.

In reaction to the recent alleged corruption involving NCAA and the Minister of Aviation, he said this was part of the wrath he was talking about, adding “We now know what they spent the money we paid on, instead of using the money to improve on the industry’s infrastructures and safety”.

Earlier in the day, the airline unveiled its newly acquired Airbus A330-200 aircraft aimed at boosting its international operations.

Nicknamed -Our Lady of Grace- the aircraft offer a two class configuration with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats.

The aircraft is fitted with the same on-board product with its A340-500 providing the latest in comfort and style and a consistent product experience on its long-haul fleet.

The Premier Business Class product is carefully tailored to meet the discerning business traveller’s needs. Passengers will have individual secluded booth areas that contain flat beds featuring an in-built massage system complete with a hand held 3.5” LCD screen unit controlling seat and lighting functions. The very latest in-flight entertainment can be enjoyed on a large 17 inch widescreen monitor installed on the front wall of the booth.