More African carriers have joined Arik Air in suspending their light services to all West Coast destinations following the continued spread of coronavirus.
According to Arik, the affected routes include Accra, Ghana; Monrovia, Liberia and Dakar, Senegal.
Arik further noted that in a statement that the temporary suspension of flights to all its West Coast destinations would become effective from March 23, saying it added that the management of the airline took the decision after a careful analysis of the novel COVID-19 which had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The terse statement quoted Arik Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu as saying that “The safety and well-being of the airline’s personnel and customers were paramount at this critical time, hence the decision to temporarily suspend flight services to the West Coast.
“We do not want to take chances and this is why we have taken this decision,” he said.
Ilegbodu, who apologised to customers who were affected by the recent travel ban imposed by the Federal Government, said it would cushion the effects of the travel ban on passengers whose travel plans may have been affected by the suspension of flights by ensuring a prompt refund of tickets.