Arik Air Workers Resist Secondment to NG Eagle Amid Controversy

A mild drama unfolded as workers of Arik Air resisted efforts by Arik Air Management in Receivership to second some employees to NG Eagle, a controversial carrier. NG Eagle is an airline that was facilitated by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and later sold to a Nigerian businessman.

In a letter dated October 9, 2023, NG Eagle requested the secondment of 12 Arik flight operations department personnel, including flight captains, first officers, and various department personnel. The letter was signed by NG Eagle’s Accounting Manager/Managing Director, Capt. A. E Dare, and cited the need for these personnel to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a reason for the secondment.

However, sources within Arik Air revealed that the workers listed for secondment have expressed their opposition to the move. They cite the controversial nature of NG Eagle’s emergence as a significant concern. Initially, AMCON’s plan was to establish NG Eagle and use it to absorb Arik Air by transferring its viable aircraft and personnel to the new airline. Still, a recent court judgment directed that all aircraft taken from Arik Air to establish NG Eagle should be returned to the former.

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Furthermore, industry experts are questioning the renewal of NG Eagle’s AOC by the NCAA, as the airline has not yet operated any scheduled flights. The demonstration flight that led to the initial AOC issuance was conducted by a different management team that had been removed before the airline was sold. This has raised concerns about the legitimacy of NG Eagle’s operations and its eligibility for an operating license.

The situation underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding NG Eagle’s operations and the impact on Arik Air’s employees. The future of NG Eagle and its relationship with Arik Air remain uncertain as these issues persist.

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