ARIK AIR SWEEPS THREE AWARDS AT NIGAV 15 AS ADEBOTE NAMED 2026 KING OF THE AIR

ARIK AIR SWEEPS THREE AWARDS AT NIGAV 15 AS ADEBOTE NAMED 2026 KING OF THE AIR
By prince Benson Davies

Arik Air recorded a strong showing at the 15th Nigeria Aviation Awards and Ministerial dinner held at the NIGAV Centre, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, taking home three awards, including the 2026 King of the Air title.

Arik Air Cabin Crew member Adeyemi Adebote emerged winner of the King of the Air contest, a highly competitive category that featured Cabin Crew members from other Nigerian airlines. Adebote’s win marks the third time an Arik Air crew member has clinched the title. Patrick Ekehinde won the second edition in 2022, while Tyger Opunabo took the 2024 edition.

The airline also received the Heroic Performance Recognition Award. The award went to Captain Olufemi Adesunloye and First Officer Auwal Wali for their handling of a Boeing 737-800NG that suffered a mid air engine explosion on February 11, 2026. The crew safely landed the aircraft, an action that drew praise for courage, composure and effectiveness under pressure. The Heroic Performance Recognition Award is designed to celebrate individuals who display extraordinary skill in critical situations.

Arik Air was also named winner of the Best Airline Passenger Front Desk Service Award. The award recognises the airline’s friendliness and effective customer service across ticketing, check in and boarding.

The NIGAV Awards are organised to promote unity, healthy competition and growth within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Reacting to the awards, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer Captain Roy Ilegbodu said the recognitions reflect the high level of professionalism that defines the airline. He thanked the organisers of NIGAV for the honours and stated that Arik Air remains dedicated to maintaining and advancing the highest standards of efficiency within Nigeria’s aviation industry.