The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, released a statement on Thursday afternoon denying any hand in Arik Air’s decision to suspend all domestic flight operations in the country.

According to Premium Times, the airport authority claims it is unaware of any plans by members of the aviation industry union to disrupt Arik Air’s operations.

However, the airline, only recently recommended by the Senate to become the nation’s flag carrier, announced on its website today that it was suspending operations “due to an action by the FAAN union at the General Aviation Terminal in Lagos”.

They extended their apologies to passengers whose flight plans have been disrupted and said the suspension is only expected to last the day, but according to AP reports, the airline is suspending operations indefinitely due to government corruption.

In its counter statement, the airport authority claimed the disruption by aviation unions is all part of FAAN’s endeavor to recover debt owed the agency by the major airline

They however insisted that the authority is working with the airline to resolve their differences. Arik Air is expected to give a press conference addressing the situation. Meanwhile, stranded passengers across the country remain the casualties of the war between the FAAN and Arik Air.