By Tunji Faleye with agency report
There are indications that Ethiopian Airlines is plotting to take over troubled carrier, Arik Air as it has submitted a formal offer to take charge of the airlines.
Official statistics has shown that Arik Air accounts for more than half of Nigerian air passenger traffic.
According to Esayas WoldeMariam, Ethiopian’s managing director of international services, “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.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation did not respond to a request for comment but Godfrey Odudigbo, minister plenipotentiary at the Nigerian embassy in Addis Ababa, said that negotiations over Arik could be concluded by the end of the year.
Arik has been operated by the state-owned Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since a government bailout in February.
The bailout was forced by a prolonged crisis that saw services canceled, staff unpaid, and mounting debt.
Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Arik’s Managing Director reported in August that the company had stabilized under AMCON’s leadership, with services running smoothly and salaries paid.
But the offer from Ethiopian may be attractive for a cash-strapped government struggling through a prolonged recession.