Nigerian plane seized in the Ivory Coast released

A Nigerian aircraft belonging to a private company, Arik Air, impounded by the Ivorian authorities three weeks ago for allegedly flying into the country’s airspace without authorisation has been released. According to Arik Air top official, Michael McTighe, the aircraft, a Hawker HS850XP jet, was released following the intervention of the governments of both countries. The airline’s private charter jet was seized along with its crew on 16 February during a routine executive service to the country, after the Ivorian authorities alleged that the airspace permit used by the aircraft was fake. Mr. McTighe has confirmed that the Ivorian authorities cleared the aircraft and its crew of any wrongdoing after necessary investigations.