We have restored confidence to our operations – Arik Air

Fourteen months after Arik Air was taken over by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), the airline on Wednesday said it had restored confidence to its operations.

Mr Henry Ejiogu, the Arik Air Regional Manager, South-South, South-East and South-West, made this known at an interactive session with travel agents in Lagos.

Our correspondent reports that AMCON had taken over the airline in February, 2017 due to its huge debt profile.

Ejiogu said that the airline’s operations had improved under the AMCON management let by Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, and now looking at consolidating on the gains made so far.

He explained that the forum wanted to create awareness of the airline’s current position in terms of flight operations, customer relations, commercial and sales services to travel agencies.

“I am sure you are aware of the turbulent times faced by Arik Air until the taken over by AMCON.

“A lot of plans has taken shape in terms of operations, and we are now looking at between 15 and 17 aircraft on our fleet and we are still building and growing.

“So, we cannot do without the travel agencies because they are our partners and help to sell our tickets and relate directly to our customers.

“The more they are aware of our current improvement on our sales, operations and commercial operations, then the better for us,’’ Ejiogu said.

He said that the airline had held similar programmes in Abuja for the Northern parts; Port Harcourt for the South-South; and the Lagos forum was for the South-West.

In his remarks, Mr Phillips Adeleke, an official of Royal Travel Agency, said that Arik Air had always been a preferred partner to his corporate clients before the airline fell into hard times.

Adeleke said that the forum had helped to rebuild his trust that Arik Air was ready and capable of effective and efficient service delivery to his clients.

He, however, urged the airline to maintain on-time flight schedules in order to increase customers’ confidence.

Another travel agent, Mrs Margaret Ekerete from Network Travel Agency, commended Arik Air for the recent modification on its portal.

“The new platform is a very good one and I found it very good to use.

“In general terms, I am happy that Arik is back in the air, resuming all its major operations.

“It is even beneficial for the country that the airline is now flying and flying well.

“Besides, the airline safety records is impressive, and of all our passengers, it is a very important factor,’’ she said.