SAN FRANCISCO, August 31, (THEWILL) – Africa’s leading airline, Ethiopian Airlines has submitted a formal offer to take charge of Nigeria’s flagship carrier Arik Air, believed to account for over half of Nigerian air passenger traffic.
Ethiopian’s managing director of international services, Esayas WoldeMariam, told CNN that “We have outlined our terms and conditions to the Nigerian government and we are waiting to see if they agree.
“We are capable and desirous of handling the airline.”
WoldeMariam did not specify details of the offer, but added that he expects to face competition for Arik from international airlines.
There are no indications yet that foreign airlines have submitted bids to take over the airline which is now under the management of AMCON following the debt of over N400billion, owed local and foreign creditors.
Arik’s Managing Director, Captain Roy Ilegbodu was reported in August as saying that the company had stabilised under AMCON’s leadership, with services running smoothly and salaries paid. It now carries an average of 4,000 passengers daily. It has the largest fleet of 14 aircraft, although 10 of them, according to Ilegbodu, are operational at any time.
The Arik boss also disclosed a forensic audit of the airliner carried out by the KPMG.
“They have come up with a draft report and within the next few weeks, the final report will be out and will be available to the public.”
Arik Air suitor, Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest-growing and most profitable fleet in Africa.
The airline reported a 10 per cent increase in revenue to $2.4 billion for 2015/16, with a 70 percent rise in profits, and passenger numbers climbed 18 per cent to 7.6 million.
