Heard a story from LHR last week that there was a near riot at T4 by delayed Arik pax who were delayed 24 hours and then again for 24 hours.
The delay was due to cashflow problems which meant the a/c couldn't go anywhere as it was tech and no money to pay for spares!
Crew are also not being bused in as usual as the coach company has not been paid.
Getting close to the slippery slope and next thing is no onboard catering followed by a/c impounded by BAA or Eurocontrol!
Arik need London to keep going - great market share but all at low yield - for the 'hard currency' to pay the international suppliers that all airlines rely on. If they are struggling to prioritise this due to lack of funds then they are in the big do-do
Also, the GSA in UK & USA is on the way out, so that's the credible sales & marketing finished, to be replaced by in-house sales.
I reckon they will be OK until Xmas with the bonus October traffic for independence day celebrations, but next year when no one goes South due to the imminent elections they will go belly up.
Unless, AJ's man can get his man elected there won't be a re-birth like VK
