Some passengers of Arik Air on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, converged?at the desk of Arik Air for the refund of their unused tickets.
Some of the aggrieved passengers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they came to get the refunds because the airline was grounded on Thursday.
Earlier, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the FAAN, Assistance Director, Media, said that the airline was shut down on Thursday due to the debt it owed the aviation authorities including FAAN.
“The FAAN union blocked the airline from flying on Thursday because they are owing FAAN and other aviation agencies,’’ she said.
Alhaji Dogo Mahammud told NAN that it was unfortunate that the airline was grounded, adding that he came to recover his money in order to purchase another ticket.
“I was to follow the Arik to Lagos yesterday (Thursday) but now, I will have to go back to Kano, and it is unfortunate because I don’t know which of the airline will be having problems in the next moment.
“I bought ticket for myself and my family but now I have to collect my money so that I can buy another ticket to take us back to Kano,’’ he said.
Miss Ngozi Alozie told NAN that immediately she presented her ticket, the desk officer attended to her and refunded her N24,900.
Another passenger Emma Bassey said that he was not aware that the airline was grounded, “I came to board the aircraft this morning when I was told that they are not working.''
“In fact, I was surprised to see the hall empty, I made my booking online because of the traffic that I normally experience but now, I was disappointed by what I saw.’’
Mr Muhammed Abani, the airline Station Manager, told NAN that the airline was refunding the ticket money?to its customers who booked at the?counter with evidence.
He added that those who made their booking online would have to contact the head office in Lagos through a mail and assured them that they would definitely get their money back.
It will be recalled that the Arik Air on Thursday suspended its domestic operations across the country alleging “persistent hostility of the Ministry of Aviation and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) management. (NAN)