VK/W3 | Nigeria-Based Carriers

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Originally Posted by Equario

I believe it's only one terminal, not the whole airport?

Yep that's the old terminal MM1.

And are there any expansions plans to fit rapidly growing Arik Air's long-haul fleet?

Not that I know of. We may just have to see. Lagos is building another new aiport, Lekki International Airport, so perhaps Arik will have its own terminal there or the day when Murtala Muhammed is expanded.

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New Arik Air flights to Abu Dhabi to boost tourism, economic growth
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Flights by Arik Air from West African international airports to Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will boost tourism and economic growth, Arik Air’s group chief executive, Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, said on Tuesday in Lagos.

The airline will start operations on the new route from November 29 with three non-stop weekly flights connecting the UAE capital to Lagos, he said.

“We look to more growth on the route between West Africa and Abu Dhabi travellers and business,” he said in a statement.

Arumemi-Ikhide added that Arik Air was pleased to provide its customers with a faster connection between Abu Dhabi and the West African region.

“Abu Dhabi has continued to become an increasingly important hub for business and tourism.

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

Flights would be departing Abu Dhabi every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 am local time, to arrive in Lagos at 12:15 pm, using an Airbus A340-500 with a 237-seat capacity, the statement said.

It said that the flights would also offer passengers from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, a variety of new travel options and connections from Lagos through Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire.

The statement quoted Mr James Bennett, chief executive officer at Abu Dhabi Airports Company as welcoming the development.

“Abu Dhabi Airports Company is delighted to welcome Arik Air as the first West African carrier to operate to Abu Dhabi International.

“The capital’s airport operator is working closely with various airlines to support their development initiatives that will ultimately benefit Abu Dhabi International Airport passengers with more choices,” the statement said.

[Equario]

Originally Posted by èđđeůx

Not that I know of. We may just have to see. Lagos is building another new aiport, Lekki International Airport, so perhaps Arik will have its own terminal there or the day when Murtala Muhammed is expanded.

Thanks for your answer!

[lady gaga]

Arik Air W11 Long-Haul Operation Highlights
by JL
Update at 0840GMT 21OCT11

As per 21OCT11 Amadeus and Sabre timetable display, Arik Air’s Winter 2011/12 Long-Haul service changes as follows. Note additional adjustment is possible:

Lagos – Abu Dhabi Planned 3 weekly Airbus A340-500 service from 29NOV11, is CANCELLED. No new launch date is given.

Lagos – New York JFK eff 30NOV11 Operational day and schedule change from Lagos. However such schedule changes are not reflected on the airline’s website
W3107 LOS2250 – 0550+1JFK 345 247 -29NOV11
W3107 LOS1400 – 2130JFK 345 135 30NOV11-

W3108 JFK2200 – 1345+1LOS 345 135 -28NOV11
W3108 JFK2330 – 1545+1LOS 345 135 30NOV11-

On Lagos – London Heathrow flagship route, the airline maintains Daily Airbus A340-500 service

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Arik Air says suspension will not affect its operations in Nigeria
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Arik Air says its suspension by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) from its Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) will not affect the airline's operations in Nigeria.

IATA's Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Goater stated this in an e-mail statement sent to reporters at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport , Ikeja, on Friday.

``The airline's operation in Nigeria will be unaffected with the development.''

The statement, however, said that IATA had temporarily de-activated Arik's access to its BSP in the markets of Niger Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin and Mali .

Goater said that the deactivated access would be in force pending the airline's compliance with certain banking requirements laid down by the world organisation.

IATA had in a statement on Oct. 20, suspended Arik Air over its alleged non-compliance with its banking regulations.

The Airline's Media Officer, Mr Ola Adebanji, in his response, told newsmen via telephone that IATA was being mischievous.

He said that Arik Air's agents were still selling the airline's tickets in London and Johannesburg.

Adebanji added that the Airline was only suspended from routes where it did not operate.

``IATA is trying to be mischievous as we do not operate flights to the countries it claimed Arik Air had been suspended from.''

He said that Chad, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Benin Republic were countries the airline did not have bank guarantees.

He said that its travel agents in those countries could not sell the airline's tickets.

``We are still selling our tickets in London, Johannesburg and other routes where we operate.`

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B373-86N
image hosted on flickr

by EK056

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Arik Air Orders Two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals


allAfrica

In a bid to further boost their air business, Arik Air Nigeria and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have announced a deal for two 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes. The order which is valued at $635million at list prices and was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's website, was announced during a signing ceremony at the Corporate Council for Africa's 8th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Washington, D.C recently.

"Air travel within the region continues to grow at a rapid pace and we must prepare our fleet to accommodate that growth", said Sir JIA Arumemi-Johnson, owner and chairman of Arik Air. "Boeing's new 747-8 fits perfectly into our long-term planning. It brings the best operating economics for its size, which is important with the increase in fuel prices".

Arik Air is Nigeria's fastest-growing privately owned airline operating a large fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737s and serves more than 22 domestic, six regional, and three long-haul routes. The airline plans to use the 747-8 on its key long-haul routes.

At the summit, the African Export-Import Bank expressed interest in helping Arik Air finance the two 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes and to help Arik Air realise their vision for the future of the airline.

The new 747-8 Intercontinental features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort.

Using General Electric's GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 per cent.

"As we look into the future, the 747-8 Intercontinental is a must have for Arik Air", said Sir Arumemi-Johnson.

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image hosted on flickr

by Fossie 1

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Air Nigeria new 'Book & Pay' Service

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There has been an ongoing dispute between Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and British Airways/Virgin Air over flight slots on the Lagos-London route for Arik Air. Been going on for about a week now..
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Arik Gets 7 Slots to Heathrow
This Day Live

Arik Air has emerged a major beneficiary from the settlement of the face-off between Nigeria and the United Kingdom over the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).


The airline, which was at the centre of the storm, Tuesday had its entries into Heathrow Airport from Abuja increased from five to seven per week.


This was part of the outcome of the meetings between the officials of the Federal Government and their British Government counterparts over the suspension of Arik Air’s flights from Abuja to London and the reduction of slots of the British Airways (BA) to Lagos Airport as a retaliation by the Nigerian government.

The BA, as part of the rapproachement, would continue with the seven slots it had always enjoyed before the diplomatic row over the BASA between both countries about two weeks ago.

According to a statement isued by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, Arik Air now has seven from Abuja to London at an agreed commercial fee, believed to be cheaper than the rate the airline previously bought BMI's unutilised slots.


“With respect to slot at Heathrow Airport, seven slots per week from Abuja have been secured for Arik Air at prevailing commercial rates,” the statement said.

The Nigerian airline had been denied five slots a week from its Abuja, London operations by the Airline Coordination Limited (ACL), forcing it to suspend its flights from the nation’s capital.

Arik Air thus gained additional two slots to the five it was operating before the face-off. With these concessions, the Federal Government has restored the seven slots a week to BA on its London, Lagos operations.


The British mega carrier would have started operating three times a week to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, today if its seven frequencies had not been restored.

Obi also said in the statement that in consideration to the high fares charged by BA and the associated regional imbalance, the airline made an offer of a 20-per-cent reduction in the lowest Business Class fare between Nigeria and the UK.

“The Nigerian side considered this as insufficient. The Nigerian government is still very concerned about the regional price disparity. We still strongly believe that this regional imbalance should be dismantled. In other words, BA should offer the same or similar fares from Nigeria to the UK as is the case in any other Equidistant destination within West Africa,” he said.

Obi also said the British authorities requested to be given an opportunity to carry out an independent study of the regional pricing disparity in the UK/Nigerian aviation market.

“We expect the conclusion of this study by the end of the year to facilitate a conclusion on the subject,” he added.
The special assistant to the aviation minister therefore called on the Nigerian flying public to make wise choices about which airlines they fly as regards the pricing of their tickets.

“Finally, the Federal Ministry of Aviation assures Nigerians that their interests with regard to safety, security, comfort, service and affordability will remain our priority,” Obi said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it will start the sale and review of slots at the MMIA, Lagos.

The agency said in a statement that: “As you are aware, FAAN is renovating and upgrading their airports. These efforts will require a review of current slot allocations and additional funding. Towards this end, FAAN is considering applying commercial slot rates for slots into Murtala Mohammed International Airport in the spirit of Bilateral Air Services Agreement.”

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image hosted on flickr

by E.Herrera Photography

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Delta Air Lines in Partnership with Air Nigeria to Start Nonstop Service between Abuja and Accra
AN Press

Delta Air Lines in co-operation with Air Nigeria will launch nonstop service between Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, Ghana, effective December 1, 2011*. The service will operate twice weekly using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, equipped with 36 BusinessElite seats, 29 seats in Economy Comfort and 143 seats in Economy.

“Delta is delighted to offer a new Delta service for our customers between Nigeria and Ghana, complementing our existing service to the United States,” commented 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 facilitate business and commerce between both countries.”

“Air Nigeria is committed towards providing convenient travel options to boost trade relations in the sub region especially on the Abuja and Accra route and beyond to further enhance the service options available to the traveling public throughout Nigeria”, said Olumide Odebiyi, Air Nigeria’s acting Director of Commercial. He noted further that Air Nigeria in partnership with Delta Air Lines is poised towards making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to its existing routes network to better serve the demands of passengers.

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Air Nigeria B737

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Arik Air’s flights to Angola will boost investment, says envoy
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/201...ays-envoy.html

If there is sufficient air link connecting countries in Africa, investment and business opportunities will be accelerated, Nigeria’s ambassador to Angola Folorunso Olukayode Otukoya has said.

He made this known as Arik Air began direct flight between Lagos and Luanda. The direct flight, he said would save Nigerian passengers several days of connecting flight to the Central African country.

Otukoya described the direct flight as a dream come true for many Nigerians doing business in the oil rich Central African country, which usually takes days connecting either through Addis Ababa or South Africa.

The flight will help facilitate the movement of persons and goods, stimulate business and investment, it will fast track economic development between the two countries. It is a historic development. It is a wonderful development; it will further boost people to people movement. It will boost business and trade relations between Nigeria and Angola.

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Well...recently there was a horrible crash involving a Dana Air plane that killed 163. RIP, the Nigerian Aviation Industry seems to have come a long ways in recent years, but still some weeds need to be taken out.

Anyways, Arik Air Business Class images

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roniwei...n/photostream/

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roniwei...n/photostream/

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roniwei...n/photostream/

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roniwei...n/photostream/

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Arik A340

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darryl_...n/photostream/

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Dana Airline's License Not Withdrawn - NCAA

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said in Lagos yesterday that the operating license of Dana Airline, owners of the ill-fated aircraft that crashed in Lagos on Sunday has not been withdrawn as widely reported.

Spokesperson of the aviation regulatory agency, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said the flights of the airline were only grounded to pave way for investigation, but that Dana Airline is still intact. He said the airline has to exist for it to answer questions for a successful investigation.

"What we only did was to ground their operation while we carry out a recertification process and they will remain grounded while investigation into the crash lasted. The license of the airline is still intact except its operational flights," the NCAA spokesman said.

"The operations of the airline have been suspended but the organization, Dana Airline, still exist. They still exist as an airline, if we withdraw its licence, who will answer our questions? At the end of the enquiries, if they are found guilty, then we can be talking about either withdrawing or revoking the operational license of the airline," he added.

allAfrica: continue.....

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Just last month Air Nigeria received a new A330:

Air Nigeria Takes Delivery Of A330-200 Aircraft
http://www.leadership.ng/nga/article..._aircraft.html

Air Nigeria received a new Airbus A330-200 which arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The aircraft, which was wet-leased from Egypt Air, arrived at exactly 9.15 p.m. to a ceremonial shower by fire fighters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Speaking to newsmen on its arrival, the Chairman of Air Nigeria Development Company, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, said that the airline was returning to the Lagos-London route to provide better air services to Nigerian passengers.

He said that the aircraft type was selected for its proven operational efficiency.

Jimoh said that the airline would lower fares to attract passengers on its daily flights to Gatwick South Terminal in London and also improve on in-flight services.

According to him, the airline plans to expand operations to 17 routes that had been approved for it, including the U.S., China and Middle East.

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image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonjws/...n/photostream/

[lady gaga]

Love the livery of Air Nigeria !