Arik Air

[Rani]

ARIK AIR ANNOUNCES LAUNCH PLANS

First new commercial aircraft for over 20 years will soon fly in Nigeria.

[UKPRwire, Thu Sep 28 2006] Arik Air, the new Nigerian Airline, today (Thursday 28th September 2006) held a press conference to announce details of the airline launch, and the immediate opening of a dedicated reservations call centre based at the airline headquarters in Lagos.

With the long awaited arrival of the first new aircraft into Nigeria for over 20 years Alex van Elk, Arik Air’s Managing Director, made the announcement that Arik Air would open ticket sale operations through their dedicated call centre; online and through IATA travel agents at 2pm today, and invited members of the press to witness the arrival of the CRJ900 aircraft on Monday 2nd October at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He also announced that an official launch event for the airline would be held at its newly refurbished Headquarters and Maintenance hangar on Tuesday 10th October in the presence of the Honorable Minister of Aviation, Professor Babalola Borishade.

Mr van Elk added that Arik Air flights will commence from Tuesday 17th October 2006 when the CRJ900 aircraft will fly from Lagos to Abuja with a build up in operations leading to a full network of ten destinations throughout Nigeria and three international routes on the African Continent over the coming weeks. Arik Air also has plans to commence international routes from Spring 2007.

Reservations : Arik Air Call Centre: 01 2799999 : www.arikair.com

- ends -

For more information, please contact: Gbemiga Ogunieye, Head of Communications, Arik Air Ltd, Arik Air Aviation Centre, Murtula Muhammed Domestic Airport, PO Box 10468, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Email: [email protected]. Fax: [phone]. Mobile: [phone]. www.arikair.com.




About Arik Air

Arik Air, the new Nigerian Airline, is the brainchild and vision of Sir J.I.A Arumemi-Johnson, a leading and well respected Nigerian businessman who understands the need for efficiency and quality of service in business to succeed. He has spent many years travelling throughout his home country without the satisfaction of knowing that he can depend on the only transport service available to him. He also knows that competition is a healthy eye opener towards achieving efficiency.

In 2002 with the national airline in liquidation, Mr Johnson decided to buy a Hawker jet aircraft to be used as a corporate jet. The word got out and before long his contacts in the gas and oil industry were using the aircraft to fly them around Nigeria. So he decided to buy a second one.

He then set out to find the best people and the most suitable aircraft to build an airline that would set new standards and change the face of the aviation industry in Nigeria - an airline that Nigeria and the rest of the world will be proud to fly.

On 3rd April 2006, Arik Air took occupation of the former Nigeria Airways Limited facilities in Lagos, some three years after liquidation. The ceremony took place at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the presence of the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Irene Chigbue and NAL liquidator, Ade Babington-Ashaye. Major reconstruction work began immediately.

On 14th June, Arik Air took delivery of three new build Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets making the airline the first CRJ900 operator on the African continent and the first airline to introduce new commercial aircraft into Nigeria for over 20 years. Arik will begin to operate the CRJ900s on domestic routes throughout Nigeria and international routes on the African continent starting in October 2006, followed by the airlines two 50 seat Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets and two former United Airlines Boeing 737-322 aircraft. These aircraft have completed a D check, including a complete undercarriage and engine overhaul. The fleet will also include the two original Hawker Executive Jets 800XP.

Arik Air also plans to introduce intercontinental routes in Spring 2007.
This is the time to deliver a new airline, an airline that has the best interest of the Nigerian traveller at heart, combined with a commercial head.

Arik Air Wings of Nigeria



ARIK AIR NETWORK PLAN


From October 2006 Arik Air will begin to fly regional routes throughout Nigeria until the airline covers the following ten destinations:


? Kaduna
? Abuja
? Port Harcourt
? Benin City
? Enugu
? Jos
? Maiduguri
? Kano
? Lagos
? Calabar


And three international routes on the African Continent:

? Dakar, Senegal
? Accra, Ghana
? Malabo, Equatorial Guinea


Arik Air has plans to commence intercontinental routes from Spring 2007

For flight details and bookings, please visit www.arikair.com or call our dedicated Reservations Call Centre on 01 2799999





ARIK AIR FLEET

Bombardier CRJ900

The CRJ900 allows Arik Air to economically increase capacity on busier routes supported by its enlarged underfloor and aft baggage compartments. Overhead bin, underseat and wardrobe stowage areas raise the total baggage capacity to a generous 10.50 ft3 (.030 m3) per passenger.

Specifications:
Span: 81 feet, 5 inches (24.85m)
Length: 119 feet, 4 inches (36.40m)
Cruising speed: 547 mph
Range: 1,976 nm (3,408km)
Engines: 2 x General Electric CF34-8C5 turbofans



Bombardier CRJ200

The CRJ200s 50-seat capacity and low trip costs allows Arik Air to provide jet services on routes where low load factors make larger jet aircraft unprofitable.

Specifications:
Span: 69 feet, 7 inches (21.21m)
Length: 87 feet, 10 inches (26.77m)
Cruising speed: 534 mph
Range: 1,915 nm (3,547 km)
Engines: 2 x General Electric CF34-3B1 turbofans



Boeing 737-322

The 737 is a short-to-medium-range airplane with a stellar reputation for being uncomplicated. For years airlines have praised its solid performance, reliable service and value to their fleets.

Specifications:
Span: 93 feet (28.35m)
Length: 93 feet, 9 inches (28.63m)
Cruising speed: 580 mph
Range: 1,150 miles
Engines: 2 x CFM56-3C1 engines




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Company: Arik Air
Contact Name: Gbemiga Ogunieye
Contact Email: [email protected]

[Flying Touareg]

a Nigerian Newspaper quotes the MD of Arik as saying that ARIK will be using the international terminal at LOS and ABV for its flight operations. How true is this?

[fokkerfellow]

Originally Posted by Flying Touareg

a Nigerian Newspaper quotes the MD of Arik as saying that ARIK will be using the international terminal at LOS and ABV for its flight operations. How true is this?

VERY TRUE We have desks for both domestic and international services.

[surely not]

sssshhhhhhhhh everyone, if AVSEC hears of this dastardly plan to use the International Terminal for Domestic flights he will have another fit!!

Interesting that Arik will be doing this. Which gates will they be converting for this usage? The current gates were modified by VK at cost to VK (because FAAN didn't pay as per the original agreement). There are only 3 gates usable as domestic and VK uses all of them for the early morning wave of deps so how is Arik going to be accomodated?

Is Borishade on the Board of Arik? He doesn't show this much interest in the other Nigerian airlines

[soggyboxers]

First New Aircraft - I Think Not!

With the long awaited arrival of the first new aircraft into Nigeria for over 20 years Alex van Elk, Arik Air’s Managing Director, made the announcement

Funny that, as I brought 2 brand new helicopters into Nigeria this year. Maybe the article is a misquote or maybe Mr van Elk isn't aware that helicopters are also aircraft. Maybe if he'd talked about aeroplanes.........

[Engine Noise]

The Nigerian Aviation sector, akin to other sectors in Nigeria, is a dynamic sector. Just recently, VK was the toast of all times.Once upon a time also,it was ADC and Bellview. Now it is Arik.
Progress has been made which is quite impressive. But recent events that have now shown Arik becoming Government's new bride is a serious source of concern. What is required at this period of so called changes and reforms in Nigeria is FAIR PLAY for all and this also applies to all sectors.By next year, after the polls, another airline will come, and arik will be dumped too. Arik should take a wise approach by distancing itself from the Government. Already rumours are flying around that a Governor from one of the Oil states is the man behind ARIK.
The case of Albarka air should also serve as a reminder to us!
Pundits are already bidding farewell to Chanchangi and some few airlines. I think they are wrong. Chanchangi has been very consistent and has had a nearly accident-free record.It is on record that some of the pilots from chanchangi are now flying for VK infact.
i rest my case .

[surely not]

Engine Noise how can you state Chanchangi is near accident free when at the end of 2005 it had 3 incidents in a month period whereby a/c either landed wheels up or came off the runway!!

I agree with you that it is unhealthy, and some might say fool hardy, for a government minister to be so closely identified with an airline, particularly when that airline is offering said minister all expenses paid trips to Canada to witness the roll out of their new aircraft etc etc. Being of a generous mind I am sure that this was all above board

What Nigeria needs more than anything to stimulate passenger traffic is for
the nations wealth to come home from bank accounts abroad and for it to be used to generate jobs and industry, thereby widening the pool of people able to afford to travel by air. Th.at I guess is a very different topic not for this forum.

[enijose1]

really brand new in 20 years

even Aero brought a brand new Dash 8 with less than 12hrs which of course is their flight time from wherever to Lagos. Arik should realise that because they are looking brand blue and white allover the airport does not mean they are the first to run an airline

[Rani]

Originally Posted by surely not

What Nigeria needs more than anything to stimulate passenger traffic is for
the nations wealth to come home from bank accounts abroad and for it to be used to generate jobs and industry, thereby widening the pool of people able to afford to travel by air. Th.at I guess is a very different topic not for this forum.

Very interesting thoughts. Everyone in that scenario would emerge a winner. Corruption remains rampant and quite frankly I think OBJ failed in that regard. (THAT is certainly for another forum lol)

[LongJohnThomas]

Guys,
It is evident that arik is government backed and that some officials maybe party to the floatation of it.
As for the all expence paid trip for the minister to canada? Did vk not use some officials of NCAA for the writing and approval of manuals etc?All expence paid trips for the inspections which as i hear it, the officials claimed to have lost all allowances somehow and vk having to approve more money for them to travel.
Thereafter, they went ahead to give two or so 'thank you' jobs as line and management pilots even after failing the assessments in GeCat?
I say this with a 100% conviction, since i know this to be true!
If arik deems it fit to invite the minister to canada as an advantage? Good for them, vk seems to be crawling into it's shell now that the attention seems to be shifting!
Sir Richard as i gather, maybe moving his investments elsewhere come 2007, there have been slight indications of so, or so i gather from the usual sources.
Arik is only lacking right now in the pay department for the locals , and i think they should all sign up with 350.com and flightdeckrecruitment etc to get in via the agencies, probably better an option, i have even sent my detials and i have been asked to submit a little more paper work for the said jobs on the 733, offering a pay that's completely different to what i see the locals being offered.
Its always a case of 'you wan catch monkey'? 'Behave like monkey'!
The foriegners who handle these airlines must think nigerians have peanuts for brains (not to say we could do any better without bringing emotions and unfair play into it), we have even at the least proven to the world that we are quite intelligent and smart, even though we do have a lot to do when it comes to getting our name of the list of most corrupt nations; come to think of it, which nation is'nt?

[GlobalFlyer]

Virgin Nigeria and SRB

Originally Posted by LongJohnThomas

If arik deems it fit to invite the minister to canada as an advantage? Good for them, vk seems to be crawling into it's shell now that the attention seems to be shifting!
Sir Richard as i gather, maybe moving his investments elsewhere come 2007, there have been slight indications of so, or so i gather from the usual sources.

Looking at this from a non-biased and logical point of view, it would seem HIGHLY unlikely that SRB or the Virgin Group are mulling to exit the Nigerian airline industry. First of all, the industry and infrastructure are being revamped for the better so patience should pay off. Second of all, it would be foolish to expect VK to turn a profit in its 1st, 2nd or even 3rd year of operation. Virgin Group entered the market knowing this is a long term investment. They have already established a strong brand in the country.

As for government support for Arik, the airline deserves it, so does Virgin Nigeria because both players are catalysts to the re-birth of the industry Both airlines should embrace competition and the customer will only benefit. Virgin Group exiting the market soon will imply SRB shys away from competition.

[LongJohnThomas]

Well, whatever works for you fellas mate, good luck with the logical thinking.

[surely not]

LJT your sources are a little off course. The NCAA didn't write anything for VK, but they did plunder the manuals that VK had already written. This way they, the NCAA, could get some credible and up to date operating procedures that were JAA Ops compliant.

Also, I know of one NCAA Inspector who joined VK and contrary to your info, I was told he came top of his course and displayed piloting abilities well above the average.

Out of the loop a bit now, but I reckon that the Shareholders of VK along with shareholders of all major companies are awaiting the outcome of the 2007 elections before looking too far into the future.

[Dotun]

I heard Arik (Wings Of Nigeria) should be coming in with the CRJs today (already left Canada) and the B733 should be in around the 6th. I am a little bit worried that the airline is copying everything VK is doing, I would have preferred a little bit of innovation on their part. It would be nice to see how Arik will measure up against the very high standards VK is subjected to everyday. I don’t think any of the VK pilots will be abandoning ships, some have been contacted indirectly and they got the no thanks.

Regards
DMan

[18left]

[quote I don’t think any of the VK pilots will be abandoning ships, some have been contacted indirectly and they got the no thanks.
DMan[/quote]
dont count your chickens before they are hatched.The smoke is billowing but when it clears.............

[Rani]

Dotun, I don't see how the outright purchase of brand-new planes and the availability of even lower-fares (V-class) is tantamount to "copying VK").
Besides, W3 wants to serve 10 local destinations as early as December. VK has been stagnant this year with only 2 new destinations (Kano/Dubai).
As far I can see now it is VK who should be worried someone will take a slice...
Competition is the new name of the game

[Revnetwork]

LJT,
You're way off course!
Just to continue what SN has said, I know quite a bit about the allowances that were supposedly lost by the NCAA inspectors, and you are also very wrong about that. I can't say definitely if any money was actually lost, but I definitely know what VK said/did. I also know where VK's Ops manuals were written, and it wasn't at the NCAA. Imagine that! The NCAA writing manuals for an airline that operates to JAR standards.
SN,
I'm back in the Manor for the next week, so will be in touch with you.

[skycaptain81]

Soggy Boxers, I Feel You Man

YES. Helicopters are also aircraft,congrats on bringing two brand new helicopters into the country this year.You could allow for some error folks make when they get excited.
cheers

[Flying Touareg]

has the CRJ arrived lagos? ETA was 1300hrs .will be glad if lagos ppruners will get us a pix of the new plane at DNMM

[GlobalFlyer]

Number of ordered CRJ-900s?

The original Arik order for CRJ-900s comprised 2 purchased new frames, but the latest press releases mention 3 aircraft? This seems to be confirmed on www.skyliner-aviation.de:

Canadair CRJ 900 15054 5N- Arik Air
Canadair CRJ 900 15058 5N- Arik Air
Canadair CRJ 900 15059 5N- Arik Air

Can Fokkerfellow confirm this? Is the 3rd a leased aircraft?