Hundreds of Arik Air passengers were stranded at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday as a result of the
brawl between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the airline.
It
was learnt that FAAN stopped the domestic carrier from carrying out its
operations at the airport due to issues of indebtedness by the airline.
Although
the airline refuted the claims by the authority, our correspondent
gathered that the brawl between the duo was manifested at the domestic
wing of the airport when officials of FAAN disrupted flight operations
of Arik Air.
Sources at the airport stated that the feud
between both organisations lasted for hours as the largest domestic
airline in Nigeria was stopped from operating till around 5pm on
Thursday.
An official at the Airport, who spoke to our
correspondent in confidence, said, “Many passengers were left stranded
at the terminal and they were passengers of Arik Air. Other airlines
were allowed to fly but Arik was stopped. They only started operating
from around 4.30pm today (Thursday).
“They have long standing issues with FAAN and it has to do with their indebtedness.”
Arik
Air, in a statement, said officials of FAAN on Thursday morning
disrupted its operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,
Abuja.
According to Arik, its staff were denied access
to their duty posts, making it impossible to process passengers for
departures out of Abuja.
It said, “The latest action may
not be unconnected with allegation of debt FAAN claimed Arik Air owed.
The airline has described the debt figure by the agency as fictitious
and malicious.”
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