A345 for ARIK?

[ChiefT]

I heard that Arik will get 3x A340-500 for their OPS to the US.

Any confirmation for that? Seem to be the ex Thai planes.

[Mr. Smith]

Also heard they could be getting A345's that were to go to Kingfisher. I guess we will just have to wait.

[caveokay]

:D :D 2 kingfischer acft expected to be painted for arik at orly in october

[surely not]

All makes for an interesting fleet mix!!

[Mr. Smith]

Here you go chief, http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?ItemID=25370

Article: Arik Air confirms to take three A340-500s (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/30/316685/arik-air-confirms-to-take-three-a340-500s.html)

[TonyWilliams]

I believe the longer term plan is to fly the A340 until Arik can get the B777 from Seattle.

They are scheduled to take on 17 of the B737-700's by the end of 2008.

[ChiefT]

Well, they've on order

3x B777-300ER
2x B777-200LR
7x B787-900
4x B747-8 Intercontinental

Also some regionals:
4x Dash 8-Q400
3x CRJ-900

A huge fleet expansion!

[TonyWilliams]

Arik Air has significant plans for new aircraft deliveries in the coming years:

15 B737-800/900 (sounds like these will be on board by years end)
7 B787-900 (many years off)
B777-300ER (notice the A340-500 isn't mentioned? Or how many B777's?)
3 B747-800
3 CRJ900NG (this really means CRJ-1000, I believe)
4 Q400

Here's an advertisement for a CRJ-900 First Officer:

First Officer CRJ 900 Job - Arik Air
Arik Air
Ref: : 003 (Arik Air)
Location: Lagos - Nigeria
Pay: Pay details on application - Attractive Salary & Benefits Package - Rotation 8 Weeks on - 4 Weeks Off
Job Status: Permanent

Why join us?
Flying the Wings of Nigeria is not just another job. Projecting our plans far into the future, with a vision of bridging continents and nations across the world, we offer a whole range of career and lifestyle opportunities

We have a multi-national team, comprised of highly professional pilots, selected and trained by the best partners in the industry.

We have the youngest and the fastest growing fleet in Africa, maintained with precision and perfection by Lufthansa

For this year alone, our growth will reach an amazing 100%, but that is not all. To support medium and long-term expansion, Arik Air has significant plans for new aircraft deliveries in the coming years: 15 B737-800/900, 7 B787-900, B777-300ER, 3 B747-800, 3 CRJ900NG and 4 Q400.

Additionally Arik Air has secured 4 weekly slots at London Heathrow (T1), the operations between Lagos and London will commence by year end with 2 brand new A340-500.

If…
you want to join us in our noble mission in Africa,
you want to build your career in aviation,
you want to fly the future technology
you want to work 235 days per year
you want to enjoy 122 days of holidays
…Then Become an Arik Pilot


Total Flying Time – 500 hours on type

[laic]

A little bit off topic, but what is the mandatory retirement age in that part of the world ?
Tks.

[TonyWilliams]

Arik uses FAA rules. So, I don't know if that means the country of Nigeria does too, or not.

Currently, max age is 65 in the US.

[laic]

Thanks Tony, that is good news if it's the case.
L.

[Klogic]

Arik uses Nigerian CAA rules please.

[TonyWilliams]

Arik uses Nigerian CAA rules please.

I'm confident Nigeria has rules, as does any country. But many pretty much just copy the rules from the countries that developed them.

I have no idea what the case is in Nigeria, however, I was told that the rules follow FAA rules, and that pilots flying there can use their FAA or JAA licenses.

For instance, duty times of 8 flying 16 duty in 24 hours, 24 hours off in 7 days, 30 hour max per week, 100 month, and 1000 year. I'm going to bet they are EXACTLY the same in Nigeria.

If that's the case, and I were betting, I would think age 65 was also the same. Again, I don't know, merely speculating.

[soggyboxers]

Aviation in Nigeria is conducted in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Requirements. These are written in the same format as JARs but based on a mixture of JAA, FAA and ICAO rules, often adopting whichever is the stricter requirement. When ICAO changed to recommending age 65 for commercial air transport, Nigeria also eventually followed suit and the maximum age for commercial flying is now 65. However, pilots over the age of 60 may only fly as multi crew, with the other pilot being aged under 60. My Nigerian licence is endorsed, "Curtailment of privilege of licence holder Aged 60 years or more: Holder shall act as Multi Crew PIC. NCAR Part 8:166 section(1)".

It is also a requirement that all licence holders over the age of 60 shall carry out a stress ECG every 2 years.

Pilots flying here on JAA or FAA licences are flying on validations, have to pass an Nigerian Air Law exam and are governed by Nigerian Air Law whilst exercising the privilege of their validations.

[BALEWA]

Yup, 3 A340-500s, delivery date is for Middle of November for US and UK operations.

Initial delivery was for Kingfisher of India.

Concerning our aviation governing body and mandatory retirement age me thinks soggyboxers answered your questions correctly.

Certainly a new dawn for our aviation industry here in Nigeria. And as predicted a while back the beginning of many more great events to come in our aviation history not only for Arik but all.

Balewa
PS: Kudos for a job well done VirginNigeria :D Airplane looks swell from our side of the field!!! And a warm welcome to AEROS -500 (5N-BKR) rumours on the ramp have it for 6 more -500s on there way to Lagos :D

[JanetFlight]

Noopppp...AFAIK the 345 for Arik will be owned by Portuguese HiFly, (on an ACMI basis), and carrying registration CS-TFW, MSN910, and already being painted at Paris-Orly after being cancelled as VT-VJD at Toulouse...Originally on deliverance to KF as stated before:)
If will be another 345 needed, it will be CS-TFX, MSN912, also HFY.
For those who do not know HFY also operates for years a 333 on behalf of Oz Government, and another 2 A313 for OmanAir;)

[THRidle]

For those with a longer memory, "Hifly" was previously know as "Air Luxor"

[JanetFlight]

The second one, CS-TFX, its already being painted at ORY. Ex-VT-VJE.

[Old King Coal]

I paxed on Arik Air's A340-500 from Lagos to Heathrow, just before Christmas... and all I can say is "WOW!". :D

The seat pitch throughout economy was excellent. The seats themselves were very comfy ('Recaro', if I recall correctly?), all with seat-back entertainment systems.

Business / 1st class was equally as good as what you get on some well known Middle East carriers.

The onboard service was great. Good meals. Free drinks and the two (yes, 2) onboard bars (which we made good use of) are perfect for enjoying several hours chatting & drinking with ones mates in a manner which might best be described as a very smart flying wine bar.

Bottom line is that the whole aircraft and the onboard service knocks what I experienced with Virgin Nigeria (on the southbound sector, two weeks prior) into a cocked hat and some!

BA, VK, VS.... might I politely suggest that, to commpete with Arik, you'll need to seriously up your game on the London-Lagos route!

[elpilotofrances]

just to confirm 2 links from nigerian newpaper

Passengers showing preference for Arik Air?s Lagos-London flights (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2215:passengers-showing-preference-for-arik-airs-lagos-london-flights-&catid=95:aviation&Itemid=284)

THISDAY ONLINE / Nigeria news / African views on global news (http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=132001)
And I confirm service is superb ...