The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended Arik Airline’s operations due to a $2.5 million debt owed to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

This suspension follows a court ruling mandating debt recovery.

NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, stated that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court’s enforcement department issued an order on July 19, 2024, directing the attachment of Arik’s aircraft to recover the debt. The court also announced a public auction of the planes, set for July 26, if the debt is not settled.

Arik Airline’s legal issues originated from a High Court of Lagos State judgment, which the airline unsuccessfully appealed. On September 30, 2021, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal with costs. The airline then sought permission from the Supreme Court to appeal, but the application was dismissed on January 9.

The enforcement continued at the FCT High Court, where Justice O. A. Adeniyi ordered the attachment of Arik’s movable properties, including aircraft registered as B737-700/5N-MJF, B737-800/5N-MJQ, DASH8-Q400, and 5N-BKX, to satisfy the debt.

NAMA reported that both the agency and the aviation minister were served with copies of the court order and Certificate of Judgment. Although Arik obtained an ex parte order to suspend further execution, NAMA has not received formal notification of this order. Consequently, the agency grounded the involved aircraft to ensure they remain within the court’s jurisdiction and are not tampered with.

NAMA emphasized that the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, understands the legal ramifications of the Supreme Court’s order. The agency called for a swift resolution of the dispute so Arik’s aircraft can resume normal operations.