Rani thanks for the pix. I found an intresting piece in thisday.Here it is(emphasis mine):
''Start-up airline, Arik Air finally took delivery of three new aircraft yesterday, signaling its readiness to commence full operations on October 17, 2006.
The two CRJ900 aircraft acquired from Canadian plane-maker, Bombardier were flown into the country amid jubilation by the management and staff of the airline.
The first aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 2.10pm while the second and third came in at 2.13pm and 2.44pm respectively and were parked at the rejuvenated hangar of defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways that the new airline has acquired.
The pilot of the second airplane displayed great skills with the aircraft, making some of those maneuvers usually witnessed during air shows to the admiration of onlookers.
The aircraft registered as C-FHRH, C-FGNB and C-FHRK were nicknamed Anthony, John Paul 11 and Patrick respectively.
Speaking while receiving the aircraft, the Chairman of Arik air, Chief Johnson-Arumemi said the motivation behind the acquisition of the aircraft was the hunger to have modern aircraft in the country for national pride.
He lamented that other nations have left Nigeria behind, adding: ‘it cannot be business as usual’.
The Arik Air Chairman who said there was the need for Nigeria to move forward, stated that it was necessary to modernize aviation infrastructure.
On the choice of CRJ aircraft type, Johnson-Arumemi said they are popular in North America and Europe, adding that they are they first set of CRJs in Africa.
He stated that Nigeria deserves safe and comfortable aircraft, stressing that another delivery would be taken in February next year.
ìFrom the ashes of Nigeria airways Limited we are building a new airline. It is Biblical that a tree must die for it to be strong. From the ashes of Nigeria Airways, we believe we would make a very good airline that would be a pride to the Blackman and to Nigerians. That is why we are called ëWings of Nigeriaí, he said.
The management of the airline had last Thursday disclosed that operations would commence on October 17, starting with services between Lagos and Abuja and a build up in operations leading to a full network of ten destinations throughout Nigeria and three international routes in Africa.
The airline says it has already secured traffic rights into South America, specifically Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) as well as Miami, Houston and Atlanta.
It also plans to fly into Amsterdam (Holland, Madrid (Spain) and Paris (France)..''
''From the ashes of Nigerian Airways.....,the wings of Nigeria....''
what happened to the virgin?
