Today in the News:
International Group Financing Corp. (ILFC) is negotiating with several national and commercial airlines to try and double its footprint in Africa by 2015, including Nigeria.
Vice President at ILFC, Ozzie Chraibi, told Reuters,"We would love to double our exposure in Africa from, I think it's 20 aircraft at the moment, in the next 5 years". The Los Angeles based corporation, with a portfolio of more than 1,000 aircraft, currently leases Boeing and Airbus passenger aircraft in about eight African countries, including the national airline of Africa's biggest economy, South Africa Airways.
More news: The bombing attempt (Xmas last year by a Nigerian national of Delta Airlines) pushed Nigeria into signing an agreement allowing air marshals (from the USA) aboard international flights between the US and Africa's most populous nation, US Ambassador Sanders told reporters Wed.
Two direct flights now leave for Lagos; Delta Air Lines from Atlanta, and Arik Air from New York. Continental Airlines plans to launch new daily non-stop flights between Houston and Lagos late next year.