The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria had last week officially taken over the airline over issues ?bordering on non-payment of leases, frequent flight delays, constant fracas between Arik Staff and irate passengers at both local and international airports, among others.
Following the development, there were reports in a section of the media that the Federal Government had concluded plans to convert the Arik Air to National carrier.
However, the Deputy Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Aviation Ministry, JAMES ODAUDU, explained that the report was false and unfounded.
ODAUDU noted that the government only intervened in Arik through AMCON in order to save the carrier from collapse, adding that the Minister of State for Aviation, HADI SIRIKA had never given inkling to suggest that Arik will be converted to a national carrier.
He said the federal government will rather establish a private sector driven national carrier.
