Arik Air has confirmed that it has paid the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) N3, 941, 023, 995 in 2014, which included parking and landing fees; rent, passenger service charge (PSC) and fuel surcharge. FAAN claims the airline owes N1.2 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and has grounded the airline’s operations from Abuja last week.
Arik was forced to cancel a total of 37 flights, leaving 5, 520 passengers stranded.
In a statement, the airline said: “Arik Air insists that it does not owe FAAN any money since the agency’s charges are paid in advance (pay-as-you-go basis). This has been the practice for over two years when all the aviation agencies introduced pay-as-you-go for their services. The bogus debt claim by FAAN is therefore unacceptable to Arik Air.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka had earlier stepped into the lingering debt issue between FAAN and Arik Air and had directed that a firm of auditors be engaged to reconcile the books. This process has not been concluded before the latest action by FAAN this Thursday morning.”