Sorry to digress any one know when arik will start LHR and JNB with the 330?
Current Arik pilots were sent to training in Toulouse, France for training in January 2010. After 8 days of training, they were sent home, to be replaced with London based new hires.
Most (all?) of the cabin crew are London based, many coming from the HiFly / A340 contract.
This "Nigerian" company will not have a single Nigerian pilot on this venture. Some of the London pilots hired for A330 captain positions were in fact A320 First Officers, who could not get validations from NCAA. This is rumoured to be the final downfall to the previous MD, Jason Holt, who brought his former Air Force buddies on board who were not qualified, nor experienced.
Four of the first five who showed up went home on day two, when their hotel accomodations were found to be sub-standard.
To date, I believe there are 7 pilots hired who are going through the validation process, and are comfortably waiting back home in London for the first flight of the A330 with full pay.
Arik hasn't paid for the plane yet, nor any spares.