Arik Air Crew Embark On Strike, Passengers Stranded

Arik Air cabin crew down tools.

Arik Airline cabin crew on Friday morning embarked on an unannounced strike over “non increment of their salaries and allowances”, leaving scores of passengers stranded at various airports across the country.

Naija News gathered that the Lagos and Abuja Arik’s passengers were the most affected. Many passengers were hanging around around terminal B of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where Arik Air operates from.

An official at the airline, anonymously disclosed to newsmen that the airline announced a two-hour delay on all its flights, adding that the airline was hopeful that negotiation with the aggrieved crew members could be resolved in two hours, however, he said that more delays would happen if otherwise.

He explained that the crew members were demanding for allowances for Arik Air’s operation on long haul routes like New York, London and Johannesburg. During the flights, he said that a crew member could accumulate between 100 and 120 flying hours which came with special bonuses and they also enjoyed special allowances.

“For instance, the New York flight attracted 100 dollars allowance per night while the London flight attracted 60 pounds per night, multiply by the number of nights spent abroad.

“The crew members are still demanding for same working conditions as before which may not be possible as they also do not work as before.

“The current Arik Air management introduced an attractive working condition for staff you can’t find in the industry.

“For instance, the staff received their December salary on the 20th, a feat that has never happened before,” he said.

The official also noted that Arik had one of the best health insurance in the industry.

He said that its health insurance scheme allowed each staff to register as high as 10 dependants.