Nigeria's Arik Air hampered by further operational set backs

Arik Air has resumed operations after a Dec 20 meeting called by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) addressed concerns between the airline and protesting aviation unions. Earlier in the day, the carrier said a group of aviation unions had disrupted operations by “occupying” its headquarters and blocking access to both the offices and the terminal at Lagos. “Access to the airport terminals is fundamental to the airline’s operations for movement of its personnel to ready and dispatch our aircraft for various flights,” Arik said, adding that check-in for its domestic and international flights had been disabled. Arik Air has been hit by a raft of operational problems, including fuel shortages, industrial action and one of its Airbus A330s being put out of service by a ground handling incident. <br/>