Arik Wings of Nigeria
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One of the best looking B733s around!! Arik Air seem to be well capitalised - who's the brain/wallet behind them??
Good luck to them - they should keep VK on their toes.
Good luck to them - they should keep VK on their toes.
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Founders of Arik Air
Cigar,
The owners or Arik Air is a firm known as Ojemai Investments...nothing more is known about its background.
The airline has a mixture of Nigerian and expatriate managers, one of which is Alex van Elk, the ex-Manager of a low-cost airport in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Considering the value of their 2 x CRJ-900 orders, it appears the airline is one of the most capitalized airline start-ups in the West Coast region.
Can't wait to see the CRJ-900 arrive as well!
The owners or Arik Air is a firm known as Ojemai Investments...nothing more is known about its background.
The airline has a mixture of Nigerian and expatriate managers, one of which is Alex van Elk, the ex-Manager of a low-cost airport in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Considering the value of their 2 x CRJ-900 orders, it appears the airline is one of the most capitalized airline start-ups in the West Coast region.
Can't wait to see the CRJ-900 arrive as well!
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Originally Posted by cigar
One of the best looking B733s around!! Arik Air seem to be well capitalised - who's the brain/wallet behind them??
Let's say Arik should be around for a while ...... you aint seen nothin' yet!
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I have to agree that the livery really is nice looking. I guess that Aero will also have to look to their laurels, as well as VK if Arik service is as good as the paint job.
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FG wants Arik Air to boost aircraft maintenance
FG wants Arik Air to boost aircraft maintenance
The PUNCH, Wednesday April 05, 2006
The Minister of Aviation, Dr. Babalola Borisade, on Tuesday advised the management Arik Air Limited, which acquired the headquarters building and hangar facilities of the defunct Nigeria Airways, to utilise them to boost maintenance capacity in the country.
Akin Olukunle
Borisade stated this when he hosted the management of Arik Air led by its chairman, Mr. Arumemi Johnson in Abuja. The management team met the minister with two representatives of Bombardier, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.
The minister lamented that Nigeria aircraft operators were often forced to travel to Europe, East and South Africa, and other developed countries, for the maintenance of their fleet.
He said the Federal Government expected that the facilities would be developed into a world-class aircraft maintenance facility that would satisfy the needs of aircraft operators in the sub-region.
Behind the old Nigeria Airways was a solid infrastructure for fleet maintenance. That culture of maintenance also died with the demise of Nigeria Airways. So, it is my hope that the new owners would revamp the facilities to help the industry," he added.
Reiterating the government's commitment to reforms, Borisade noted that his ministry would continue to strive to create a conducive atmosphere for investors to thrive.
In his speech, Johnson expressed the preparedness of his airline to contribute its quota to the nation's aviation industry.
Johnson applauded President Olusegun Obasanjo's foreign policy thrust, which he said, has helped to repair the country's foreign image such that "confidence of foreign investors is now growing in the nation's economy."
"With the laudable effort, we are now able to access partners overseas, who are willing to enter into agreement with us. We are motivated over and above other considerations by the spirit of patriotism to create a positive change," he added.
Johnson hinted that his airline had already employed over 50 aeronautical engineers and was in the process of employing 30 pilots who would be trained in the United Kingdom.
He pleaded with the government to designate Arik Air as the nation's flag carrier and be given rights to fly domestic and international routes, especially lucrative ones in the nation's Bilateral Air Service Agreements with other countries.
We shall soon commence full commercial operations with brand-new aircraft fresh from the assembly plant abroad," he added.
Mr. Andy Nurredin, Bombardier applauded the latest effort of Arik Air and said, "As the technical partner, we are committed to ensuring a flawless take-off of Arik Air in Nigeria. We are solidly behind Arik to serve as a showcase in Africa."
Nurredin said Bombardier would also assist in building local capacity in terms of maintenance of aircraft.
The PUNCH, Wednesday April 05, 2006
The Minister of Aviation, Dr. Babalola Borisade, on Tuesday advised the management Arik Air Limited, which acquired the headquarters building and hangar facilities of the defunct Nigeria Airways, to utilise them to boost maintenance capacity in the country.
Akin Olukunle
Borisade stated this when he hosted the management of Arik Air led by its chairman, Mr. Arumemi Johnson in Abuja. The management team met the minister with two representatives of Bombardier, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.
The minister lamented that Nigeria aircraft operators were often forced to travel to Europe, East and South Africa, and other developed countries, for the maintenance of their fleet.
He said the Federal Government expected that the facilities would be developed into a world-class aircraft maintenance facility that would satisfy the needs of aircraft operators in the sub-region.
Behind the old Nigeria Airways was a solid infrastructure for fleet maintenance. That culture of maintenance also died with the demise of Nigeria Airways. So, it is my hope that the new owners would revamp the facilities to help the industry," he added.
Reiterating the government's commitment to reforms, Borisade noted that his ministry would continue to strive to create a conducive atmosphere for investors to thrive.
In his speech, Johnson expressed the preparedness of his airline to contribute its quota to the nation's aviation industry.
Johnson applauded President Olusegun Obasanjo's foreign policy thrust, which he said, has helped to repair the country's foreign image such that "confidence of foreign investors is now growing in the nation's economy."
"With the laudable effort, we are now able to access partners overseas, who are willing to enter into agreement with us. We are motivated over and above other considerations by the spirit of patriotism to create a positive change," he added.
Johnson hinted that his airline had already employed over 50 aeronautical engineers and was in the process of employing 30 pilots who would be trained in the United Kingdom.
He pleaded with the government to designate Arik Air as the nation's flag carrier and be given rights to fly domestic and international routes, especially lucrative ones in the nation's Bilateral Air Service Agreements with other countries.
We shall soon commence full commercial operations with brand-new aircraft fresh from the assembly plant abroad," he added.
Mr. Andy Nurredin, Bombardier applauded the latest effort of Arik Air and said, "As the technical partner, we are committed to ensuring a flawless take-off of Arik Air in Nigeria. We are solidly behind Arik to serve as a showcase in Africa."
Nurredin said Bombardier would also assist in building local capacity in terms of maintenance of aircraft.
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CRJ-900s are here
CRJ-900s are here 
http://atwonline.com/news/other.html...=6%2F15%2F2006
Thursday June 15, 2006
Nigerian startup Arik Air took delivery of two CRJ900s yesterday in Montreal, becoming the first operator of the aircraft in Africa. The order was announced last month (ATWOnline, May 9). Two aircraft now are making their way to Nigeria with two more to follow in the next several months.
At an emotional ceremony at Bombardier's Mirabel facility, Nigerian officials expressed pride and optimism over the future of aviation in the county of 120 million while Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu invoked a special blessing for the new aircraft. "Two years ago we started out on this journey, trying to find out which aircraft was best," said Arik Air Chairman J.I.A. Arumemi-Johnson. "We wanted new aircraft. For the past 23 years, we never had a new aircraft in Nigeria." He told ATWOnline that Arik selected the CRJ900 because of its technology, operating economics and high level of customer support. He also said the airline recently acquired assets belonging to the former Nigeria Airways. In addition to the 900s that will begin service this summer, Arik has two previously owned 737s and three CRJ200s. The fleet also includes two Hawker 800XPs for corporate use.
Harold Demuren, DG of Nigerian Civil Aviation, said aging aircraft are a great concern in Africa. "We were looking for a potential carrier to operate modern aircraft," he said. "It should not be different in Africa." He cited the need for "a high level of reliability, support and maintenance." Initially the CRJ900s will be flown by Bombardier pilots while Arik Air pilots undergo training in Canada. Lufthansa Technik will provide maintenance services for the privately held carrier.
by Sandra Arnoult
http://atwonline.com/news/other.html...=6%2F15%2F2006
Thursday June 15, 2006
Nigerian startup Arik Air took delivery of two CRJ900s yesterday in Montreal, becoming the first operator of the aircraft in Africa. The order was announced last month (ATWOnline, May 9). Two aircraft now are making their way to Nigeria with two more to follow in the next several months.
At an emotional ceremony at Bombardier's Mirabel facility, Nigerian officials expressed pride and optimism over the future of aviation in the county of 120 million while Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu invoked a special blessing for the new aircraft. "Two years ago we started out on this journey, trying to find out which aircraft was best," said Arik Air Chairman J.I.A. Arumemi-Johnson. "We wanted new aircraft. For the past 23 years, we never had a new aircraft in Nigeria." He told ATWOnline that Arik selected the CRJ900 because of its technology, operating economics and high level of customer support. He also said the airline recently acquired assets belonging to the former Nigeria Airways. In addition to the 900s that will begin service this summer, Arik has two previously owned 737s and three CRJ200s. The fleet also includes two Hawker 800XPs for corporate use.
Harold Demuren, DG of Nigerian Civil Aviation, said aging aircraft are a great concern in Africa. "We were looking for a potential carrier to operate modern aircraft," he said. "It should not be different in Africa." He cited the need for "a high level of reliability, support and maintenance." Initially the CRJ900s will be flown by Bombardier pilots while Arik Air pilots undergo training in Canada. Lufthansa Technik will provide maintenance services for the privately held carrier.
by Sandra Arnoult
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Borishade: Used Aircraft on Way Out of Nigeria
As Arik Air takes delivery of two new jets in Canada
06.16.2006
Aviation Minister, Dr. Babalola Borishade has said the challenge of competition may force airline operators in the country to abandon used aircraft, which is predominant today for new ones in the next one or two years.
In an interview with THISDAY shortly after the chairman of Arik Air, which recently acquired facilities of defunct Nigeria Airways, Sir JIA Arumemi-Johnson, took delivery of two new CRJ900 from Bombardier Aerospace of Montreal, Canada yesterday, Borishade said with the vision and drive of the management of Arik Air in purchasing two new aircrafts, the ensuing competition would necessarily force other airlines to follow suit.
"The good thing is other airlines had seen this coming and were already making moves to respond. I'm aware that Bellview Airline is making arrangements to procure new aircraft. What Arik Air has done today was what we expected Virgin Nigeria to do when they flagged off their operations. I'm optimistic that with the challenge of competition, there would be no room for used aircraft in the country's airspace in the next one or two years," Borishade said.
Delivering his goodwill message at the formal presentation of the two aircraft to the Arik Air management team at the Bombardier Mirabel Assembly Plant, Borishade expressed the hope that the partnership between the airline and the plane manufacturer would not simply be that of trading.
"I hope the partnership portends maintenance and operations of aircraft. I look forward to a productive, expansive and sustainable maintenance relationship which transcends buying of aircraft,"he said.
While congratulating Bombardier for their commitment and dedication, and Arik for their vision and creativity, Borishade expressed pleasure to be part of the history being made.
Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demureem, urged Bombardier to assist Arik Air in maintenance and staff training. He promised not to compromise safety standards so that the country's airspace could meet international best practices.
Bombardier president, Mr. Pierre Beaudoin, commended Arik Air and the Federal Government for the initiative in buying two new aircraft for Nigeria and West Africa. He said the new aircraft will stimulate growth in the sub-region and commended the changes taking place in the aviation sector in Nigeria.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. David Angel, expressed happiness that Bombardier has taken advantage of the reforms and positive developments going on in Nigeria to seek investment opportunities and hoped others in the Canadian business community would do likewise.
Arumemi-Johnson, receiving a symbolic key of the aircraft, said the presentation is the beginning of a dream to make Arik Air dominate the African airspace with at least 60 aircraft in no distant future.
The two aircraft were named "Anthony"and "Patrick" after the Catholic bishop of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Okogie and his counterpart in Benin Diocese Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu. The latter was at the ceremony to bless the aircraft before a test flight from Bombardier Mirabel facility to their base at the Montreal international airport, about 40 minutes flight. On board the flight were Borishade, Demureem, the management team of Bombardier and Arik Air as well as the press crew.
The CRJ900 is the flagship of Bombardier Aerospace, the leading regional aircraft manufacturer in the world. It is built for about 90 passengers.
Apart from the two new CRJ900, the first by any commercial airline operator in over 20 years, Arik Air, which acquired the former Nigeria Airways facilities only recently, has in its fleet three Bombardier CRJ200 (2003), two Boeing 737-322 (1989) and two hawker executive jets 800XP (2004).
The airline intends to begin operations between July and August and will fly Kaduna, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Enugu, Jos, Maiduguri, Kano and Lagos routes. It will also fly three international routes in Dakar, Senegal; Accra, Ghana; and Malabo, Equitorial Guinea.
As Arik Air takes delivery of two new jets in Canada
06.16.2006
Aviation Minister, Dr. Babalola Borishade has said the challenge of competition may force airline operators in the country to abandon used aircraft, which is predominant today for new ones in the next one or two years.
In an interview with THISDAY shortly after the chairman of Arik Air, which recently acquired facilities of defunct Nigeria Airways, Sir JIA Arumemi-Johnson, took delivery of two new CRJ900 from Bombardier Aerospace of Montreal, Canada yesterday, Borishade said with the vision and drive of the management of Arik Air in purchasing two new aircrafts, the ensuing competition would necessarily force other airlines to follow suit.
"The good thing is other airlines had seen this coming and were already making moves to respond. I'm aware that Bellview Airline is making arrangements to procure new aircraft. What Arik Air has done today was what we expected Virgin Nigeria to do when they flagged off their operations. I'm optimistic that with the challenge of competition, there would be no room for used aircraft in the country's airspace in the next one or two years," Borishade said.
Delivering his goodwill message at the formal presentation of the two aircraft to the Arik Air management team at the Bombardier Mirabel Assembly Plant, Borishade expressed the hope that the partnership between the airline and the plane manufacturer would not simply be that of trading.
"I hope the partnership portends maintenance and operations of aircraft. I look forward to a productive, expansive and sustainable maintenance relationship which transcends buying of aircraft,"he said.
While congratulating Bombardier for their commitment and dedication, and Arik for their vision and creativity, Borishade expressed pleasure to be part of the history being made.
Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demureem, urged Bombardier to assist Arik Air in maintenance and staff training. He promised not to compromise safety standards so that the country's airspace could meet international best practices.
Bombardier president, Mr. Pierre Beaudoin, commended Arik Air and the Federal Government for the initiative in buying two new aircraft for Nigeria and West Africa. He said the new aircraft will stimulate growth in the sub-region and commended the changes taking place in the aviation sector in Nigeria.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. David Angel, expressed happiness that Bombardier has taken advantage of the reforms and positive developments going on in Nigeria to seek investment opportunities and hoped others in the Canadian business community would do likewise.
Arumemi-Johnson, receiving a symbolic key of the aircraft, said the presentation is the beginning of a dream to make Arik Air dominate the African airspace with at least 60 aircraft in no distant future.
The two aircraft were named "Anthony"and "Patrick" after the Catholic bishop of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Okogie and his counterpart in Benin Diocese Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu. The latter was at the ceremony to bless the aircraft before a test flight from Bombardier Mirabel facility to their base at the Montreal international airport, about 40 minutes flight. On board the flight were Borishade, Demureem, the management team of Bombardier and Arik Air as well as the press crew.
The CRJ900 is the flagship of Bombardier Aerospace, the leading regional aircraft manufacturer in the world. It is built for about 90 passengers.
Apart from the two new CRJ900, the first by any commercial airline operator in over 20 years, Arik Air, which acquired the former Nigeria Airways facilities only recently, has in its fleet three Bombardier CRJ200 (2003), two Boeing 737-322 (1989) and two hawker executive jets 800XP (2004).
The airline intends to begin operations between July and August and will fly Kaduna, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Enugu, Jos, Maiduguri, Kano and Lagos routes. It will also fly three international routes in Dakar, Senegal; Accra, Ghana; and Malabo, Equitorial Guinea.
Over what time period is that route start up scheduled? If they are going to be automated res and c-in then it is likelyto be over quite a while I would suggest. Surely they are not going to be manual res and c-in??
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With the new aircraft it has, the old Nigeria Airways facilities and an apparent willingness to spend money Arik Air should succeed. What they do also need to do, however, is to make sure that their staff have a customer oriented attitude. Too often in Nigeria a new business starts up with great fanfares for a lot of expenditure, then within 2 years it's all over. Unlike so many the other operators, Arik must make sure that facilities work, the aircraft are properly maintained, good time keeping, staff are polite (even when dealing with the typical pushy Nigerian businessman 
). Too many airlines are let down by dreadful check-in facilities and rude, uncaring aggressive check-in staff before the customer even boards an aircraft. I know that Aero has a well maintained aircraft fleet, with well-trained crews and attractive, educated cabin staff, but the whole thing is let down by their crowded check-in area and dreadful check-in staff. I'd rather fly with them, but I find the VK experience so much nicer, especially at Lagos. I don't know why Bellview publishes a timetable - they'd do better just giving a day, rather than a time for aircraft departures 
. At present I don't feel safe flying with any other airline, looking at their old aircraft and no apparent facilities for maintenance except a small space on the tarmac somewhere at MMIA 
. So please, Arik, learn well from the mistakes of others and if you can do that, good luck with your new venture 
). Too many airlines are let down by dreadful check-in facilities and rude, uncaring aggressive check-in staff before the customer even boards an aircraft. I know that Aero has a well maintained aircraft fleet, with well-trained crews and attractive, educated cabin staff, but the whole thing is let down by their crowded check-in area and dreadful check-in staff. I'd rather fly with them, but I find the VK experience so much nicer, especially at Lagos. I don't know why Bellview publishes a timetable - they'd do better just giving a day, rather than a time for aircraft departures . At present I don't feel safe flying with any other airline, looking at their old aircraft and no apparent facilities for maintenance except a small space on the tarmac somewhere at MMIA . So please, Arik, learn well from the mistakes of others and if you can do that, good luck with your new venture
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They seem to be stumbling. I was to be one of their initial "contract" pilots and start flying for them in July. Now they're saying, "maybe September." Anyone know anything about they're plans/status?
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According to press releases, the CRJ-900s will be piloted from July with a set of Bombardier pilots, until the Nigerians are fully trained in Canada.
Were you talking about 737-300 contracts?
Were you talking about 737-300 contracts?
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Originally Posted by Rani
According to press releases, the CRJ-900s will be piloted from July with a set of Bombardier pilots, until the Nigerians are fully trained in Canada.
Were you talking about 737-300 contracts?
Were you talking about 737-300 contracts?
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I also wonder about AOC, etc. An awful lot of work has to be done before launch of revenue flights. With no AOC, IATA code, distribution channels, etc. its difficult to see how Arik can launch revenue flights in July !? This of course is unless the NCAA speedily grants AOC based on 737 proving flights,etc.
Why haven't the CRJ-900s been flown from Mirabel to Nigeria yet?
technical glitches, I wonder, or has Arik not paid up yet
Why haven't the CRJ-900s been flown from Mirabel to Nigeria yet?
technical glitches, I wonder, or has Arik not paid up yet
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Originally Posted by GlobalFlyer
Why haven't the CRJ-900s been flown from Mirabel to Nigeria yet?
technical glitches, I wonder, or has Arik not paid up yet
technical glitches, I wonder, or has Arik not paid up yet