Arik Air announces its first transatlantic route
 

Arik Air announces its first transatlantic route


Well done Arik!

congratulations :ok:

Who's certificate will it be on??

I'm wondering the same thing. The FAA lists Nigeria as a category 2 country meaning no ops into the USA. Anybody know?

I have nothing to do with Arik before anyone says anything ... long story how this handle came about!

However, I met a few Arik guys at the FAA seminar in Dakar earlier this year, which was an eye opener, those guys probably had more questions than the rest of us put together!

I too was wondering this morning how this had come about given Nigeria's status. It might have happened via the UK?? I'm trying to fathom this out myself but they do have quite a big back office set-up in the UK from all accounts.

Arik (who is not Arik!)

PS. I applaud them for getting there in such a short space of time though!!! Great news to see another African airline get into FAA space!

Iam sure its not with Arik's AOC. PS. Why are the A340 not reg 5N reg and reg CS. Makes you wonder!!!!
FAA would never allow a 5N reg aircraft in the USA (Space!!!!!!!!!!)

Arik will use CS-registered A345s for the flights to JFK. The aircraft are owned by Arik, but are dry-leased to Hifly and wet-leased back by Arik. This is actually a (long-term) solution to be able to operate flights to the USA.

The question is whether Arik will get its third A345 (CS-TQL) before 29 November. Otherwise they will have to switch the LOS-JNB flights to a B738 to free up a A345.

Arik will possibly wet-lease two A332s from Kingfisher. They will be used to open ABV-LHR and also deployed on the LOS-LHR/JNB legs. This will enable them to go daily to JFK with the A345s.

No futher long haul expansion should be expected before the B777s arrive in 2011.

Interesting is that you can only book a LOS-JFK flight on their website and not the other way round. :sad:

According with a couple of friends working for them, it will be CS registered aircraft (HiFly). 2 A345s until they get their own aircraft (???).

Portugese HiFly will be operating the flights for Arik.

I hear the reason you can't book JFK - LOS is simply because they aren't completely online. Agents can however book the JFK - LOS for you.

The NCAA and FAA are working together to upgrade Nigeria to Cat1, Arik will (one day) operate 5N aircraft to the USA

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My view as hifly cabin crew flying for arik...dont think something will happen on time especially this JFK flight, but hope for the best :E

A little off the subject, but a friend of mine who is a contract pilot in Nigeria was coming home on a first class ticket, prepaid and booked through his company. The manager at the check in desk pulled him out of the line (he was one of the few European looking guys). Told him it would be $100 to put him on the flight. My friend said he had a 1st class ticket and wanted to speak to the manager. The guy said he was the manager, and that the flight was boarding soon. My friend said no at first. Sure enough, the flight boarded and the guy sold his ticket to another person right in front of him. When he went back and said ok I'll pay, the guy said the flight was full, and the next flight on that airline left in a week, but he could get him on a KLM flight for $75. My friend agreed and ended up flying back coach.

Nigeria is one the most crooked countries I have ever experienced (there have been a few). I hope Arik Air does very well, but I can't even imagine the red tape and payoffs to try and get anything done there. Best of luck gentlemen.

@ Cruiseclimb

Please don't protect the 'guilty'. Until u give more solid info sounds like a lie.

Worth airline flies on a weekly basis between Nigeria and wherever your friend was going that has any first class worth anything? :confused:

$100
 

Cruise climb either this is a result of your Imagination or your friend was lying:= to get off some kind of trouble, What is the Airlines Name:confused::confused::confused: Nigeria may be crooked but a lot has improved i am amazed with the speed your friend got a confirmation on KLM ..Your friend has more explanations to do

Hear, hear !!!! May they have tailwinds both ways.

Mr Smith and 9jarep,

Don't shoot the messenger because you don't like the story. It was a story conveyed to me by my sim partner when I told him I had been there flying as a contractor a while back. I never mentioned Worth Airlines..?? Everytime I've been to Nigeria, I've been extorted for money over and over again, it's not just a fine art there.. it's just how things are done. So gentlemen, please get off your high horses... You're not going to convince me that everything there is roses and this could never happen.... :cool: I've had similiar things happen to me in cabs, hotels, you name it.. If you look a certain way, you may be expected to pay a little more.

Cruiseclimb it is NOT the only way to do things in Nigeria. It usually happens because at the first refusal the westerner thinks...........ohhhh I have to offer money. If the same guy was in Europe he would either accept that 'No' meant no, or he would argue the case and probably still lose his battle.

Westcoaster, you may want to research your facts further. There are no restrictions on 5N A/C flying into Europe and 127.3 is not the only ATC freq.available when flying btw Los, Phc, and Abv.

Cat 1
 

If Air space safety is one of the criteria for Cat 1, Why are American cariers flying into Nigeria? United have announced commencement into LOS for next year. Nigeria does not have the best of airspace or facilities due bad leadership, yes.

I still wonder why the yankees can still fly into such environment and wont allow 5N into theirs even with their yankees better facilities?:ugh:

Specialist FAA security equipment, same deal at Dakar