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Arik Air Commences Operations To London
November 25, 2008 15:36, 601 views
By Simon Ateba
Arik Air, yesterday, announced the acquisition of three brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft for its Lagos-London operations, scheduled to commence next month.
P.M. News gathered that the A340-500 aircraft can fly 313 passengers, in a three-class cabin layout, at a time. Addressing journalists at a press conference, yesterday, at the Murtala Muhammed domestic airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the Managing Director of Arik Air Limited, Mr. Mike McTighe, disclosed that the acquisition marks the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa.
He added that Arik Air has become the 10th customer of this modern wide-body aircraft in the world. It was further disclosed that the A340-500, with four engines, spacious cabin with 2-4-2 seating in economy and 1-2-1 in premier (business first cabin), the aircraft offers a very comfortable environment for Nigerian passengers.
“We are absolutely thrilled that we are launching intercontinental routes with brand new aircraft. Arik Air delivers on its promises as we said we will launch domestic services with brand new aircraft and we did that with a brand new CRJ. We launched our first regional flight with a brand new 737 and we are launching our first international flight with a brand new A340,” McTighe said. The Arik Air boss also unveiled the Operation Control Center (OCC), of the airline, saying that the company is able to track any of its aircraft any time and anywhere in the world.
McTighe also disclosed that the airline has created over 1,200 jobs for Nigerians and connected the entire nation. “We have made it possible to connect from many key cities in the country, direct to Lagos and Abuja. This network has stimulated the Nigerian economy as Nigerians can now travel safely and comfortably on brand new aircraft at competitive prices,” he said.
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john okafor
25 November 2008 16:05who owns this arik air?it appears that those that looted our economy are busy making headways in some good business while the Nigerian masses are suffering!
Idreeza
25 November 2008 16:46Lets pray and support Arik Air. That is our only pride for now.Lets pray that God will sustain them and make them profitable and long lasting..I am very impressed with their domestic operations. i only hope they can also do that on the regional level,so that they can make Nigeria a gateway to West Africa.They are creating employment and adding value to the Nigerian aviation industry,and that needs commendation.It is not every Nigerian Billionaire that is a thief,some people got chances and they utilized them well. If people even steal from Government and re-invest in our economy to create jobs,that is better than stealing our money and using that to better foreign Countries and croonies abroad who end up also duping these Nigerian at the end..Arik Air is only building on the good will they are enjoying now to get the best deals that will position them as a truly continental carrier and we should all salute the business accumen of Sir Arumemi - Johnson. Okada Air would have been the first airline to achieve this feat if not for lack of support from the government then. Arik Air definitely deserve our support,at least they are making flying within Nigeria easy and creating jobs and adding value to the Nigerian aviation industry.
Idreeza
25 November 2008 16:51Lets pray and support Arik Air. That is our only pride for now.Lets pray that God will sustain them and make them profitable and long lasting..I am very impressed with their domestic operations. i only hope they can also do that on the regional level,so that they can make Nigeria a gateway to West Africa and Central Africa.They are creating employment and adding value to the Nigerian aviation industry,and that needs commendation.It is not every Nigerian Billionaire that is a thief,some people got chances and they utilized them well. If people even steal from Government and re-invest in our economy to create jobs,that is better than stealing our money and using that to better foreign Countries and croonies abroad who end up also duping these Nigerian at the end..Arik Air is only building on the good will they are enjoying now to get the best deals that will position them as a truly continental carrier and we should all salute the business accumen of Sir Arumemi - Johnson. Okada Air would have been the first airline to achieve this feat if not for lack of support from the government then. Arik Air definitely deserve our support,at least they are making flying within Nigeria easy and creating jobs and adding value to the Nigerian aviation industry.At least Nigerians won’t be at the mercy of British airways any more. God bless Arik Air. God bless Nigeria.
ola olu
25 November 2008 17:00Arik is owned by Obasanjo, though Odili is fronting for him.
Kanmi
25 November 2008 17:49John Okafo should go and sit down if he doesn’t have anything to say. this is company that created job for 1200 Nigerian.
Gbenga Olumekun
25 November 2008 18:08I dont think the issue of who owns Arik Air at this material time is relevant. If all looters and thieves can invest their hard-stolen monies in our economy and create jobs rather than buy flimsy properties in remote lands or hand over to greedy bankers to invest in their country’s economies we will be better off. I am certainly not in support of thieves but lets invest what we have in our own economy.
motion
25 November 2008 18:13John Okafor, your suspicion is not out of place, even if the source of the capital is corrupt , arik air claimed it has provided over 1,200 jobs, others loot the treasury and splashed the money abroad. But nothing justifies corruption irrespective of the intent or reason
motion, UK
Typewriter
25 November 2008 19:10Mr. John,
Am very disappointed at your comment, even if they are people that looted our economy as you said,would you prefer they bank the money in overseas as they usually do? I think whoever that is the owner deserve some respect, it is not only those that looted our economy can invest wisely, if the main people that looted our economy invested the money in Nigeria, they have created employment just like Arik has created jobs now, I remember clearly when they played host to EFCC at their resumption of operation in Nigeria.
My dear John work hard, and who knows tomorrow, you can own a airline.
Bishop Bonet Abuja Nigeria
25 November 2008 19:31This is a good development. I rejoice with Arik air and pray that God will help them to sustain this and to also compete favourably at the international market by maintaining a high standard. I would love to fly Arik to London.
jeff
25 November 2008 19:40OBJ, ODILLI, who owns Arik
Seun OYEKAN London
25 November 2008 19:50I do not encourage people looting but i think it is quite better if you steal and invest the money in the country for people to work and make their living.I do not want to know whoever owns the ARIK AIR inas much as it will provide jobs for people instead of bringing such money to the UK.
Wale
25 November 2008 19:55Odili and OBJ Airlines..Stolen wealth..
kelvin
25 November 2008 20:11This is good for Nigeria , at least jobs are being provided to the unemployed and what more Nigerian Airspace is changing with new air crafts replacing the dead zones we called airplanes
powell dublin
25 November 2008 20:48money invested in nigeria , no problem. My brothers get job instead of abroad , own er falls sick they will not be back alive and every thing will go.
Kurgo Sherengbe
26 November 2008 02:01John Okafor, You need to findout between Kalu and Odili the owner will not be far fetch. Thanks