Arik Air To Launch New Routes

Arik Air says it will commence flight operations from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Bamako –  (Gambia) and Ouagadougou – (Burkina Faso) before the end of the year.

The Managing Director of the airline, Mr Chris Ndulue who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos said the airline had positively shaped developments in the aviation industry with the introduction of brand new aircraft and also created jobs for over 2,000 Nigerians.

He explained that in the past five years Arik Air had connected major state capitals to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub as well as Abuja in line with the airline’s route expansion programme.

He said Arik remains the leading carrier on the domestic scene with over 120 daily flights.

Meanwhile Air Nigeria in collaboration with Delta Airlines has concluded plans to launch a non-stop service between Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Kotoka International Airport, Accra, with effect from December 1, 2011.

The service will operate twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursdays using Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, equipped with 36 Business-Elite Seats, 29 Seats in Economy comfort and 143 seats in Economy.

“Delta is delighted to offer a new service for our customers between Nigeria and Ghana, complementing our existing service to United States”, said Bobby Bryan, Delta’s Sales Manager for West and East Africa.

“With the on-going support of our partner, Air Nigeria, this new service will provide more travel options for our customers as well as facilitates business and commerce between both countries”, he added.

Also speaking, the Air Nigeria’s Acting Director of Commercial, Olumide Odebiyi said “Air Nigeria is committed to providing convenient travel options to boost trade relations in the sub-region, especially on Abuja and Accra route and beyond to further enhance the service options available to the travelling public across Nigeria”.

He said the partnership was aimed at making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to existing routes network to meet the demands of passengers.

Delta now operates to six Africa cities in five countries, having grown from 22 weekly flights to and from Africa in December 2006 to more than 44 weekly flights in 2011.

Reward Akwu