SAHCOL step bumps into Arik aircraft, another grounded in Owerri

Arik Air has reported incidents involving two of its aircraft on Sunday, March 18, 2018 to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The carrier stated that this is in line with standard operating procedure and the airline’s high safety standards.

The airline in a statement said, the first incident involved a Boeing 737-700 marked 5N-MJJ which was bumped into by the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) step on the ramp at MMA2.

Spokesman for the airline, Mr. Banji Ola said, “The aircraft, which was scheduled to operate W3 744 (Lagos-Port Harcourt), had its left side leading edge of horizontal stabilizer damaged”, adding that another aircraft was provided immediately for the Port-Harcourt bound passengers.

Ola further stated that the airline’s engineers later fixed the damaged aircraft which has since returned to service.

In the second incident, he disclosed that the airline’s Bombardier CRJ900 marked 5N-JEB, operating Owerri-Lagos flight has been grounded at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri. This is as a result of technical issue on ground at the Sam Mbakwe airport in Owerri during pre-departure procedure.

His words, “A relief aircraft was immediately sent to Owerri to take the already checked in passengers to Lagos with minimum delay.  We apologize to our customers on the flight for the inconveniences they might have experienced as a result of the incident. We remain committed to our safety policy, high operating standard and customer service”.