Arik Schedules Flight To Abu Dhabi Airport

Arik Air has concluded plans with Abu Dhabi Airports Company to commence flight operations to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

To this end, the Arik Air will commence operations on November 29, this year with three months weekly flights connecting the UAE capital to Lagos.

The flight will be departing from Abu Dhabi to arrive in Lagos, using an Airbus A340-500 with a capacity of 237 seats.

The premium cabin is equipped with full flat bed seats and an advanced in-flight entertainment system with 17-inch monitors.

The Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, James E. Bennett said “Abu Dhabi Airports Company is delighted to welcome Arik Air as the first West African carrier to operate to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

“We look forward to more growth on the route between West Africa and Abu Dhabi”.

Commenting on this development the chairman of Arik Air, Johnson Arumeni-Ikhide said “Arik Air is pleased to provide its customers with a faster connection between Abu Dhabi and West African region, as Abu Dhabi continued to become an increasingly important hub for business and tourism.

“We look forward to working with Abu Dhabi Airports Company on further developing our services to travellers from Abu Dhabi International Airport”, he added.

Meanwhile, the managing director of Bristow Helicopter, Captain Akin Oni has attributed the reduction in the number of domestic airlines to intense competition, improved regulatory framework and the use of right equipment on routes that are lucrative.

Oni affirmed that if Nigeria must be positioned as preferred hub for West Africa, airlines safety, integrity and operational infrastructure must be addressed to attract the desired multilateral investment.

According to him, the development of safety road map for the growth and development of the airline sub-sector could be hinged on accountability of public funds injected into the industry for infrastructure upgrade as well as adherence to standards and recommended practices of International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He said if the aviation industry must attain progress, its players must embrace sources of low and appropriate finances to address infrastructure issues, which continue to pose as irritant to the development and growth of the sector.