Nigerian airlines
 

Hello African experts.
Could I have your opinion on the safest/ least dodgy option for travel within Nigeria - specifically the Lagos Abuja route? I have been asked my opinion as a pilot but never having flown in Africa I prefer to ask those who know something about it.
Thanks if you can help with some info.

Regardless of some of the challenges these airlines might be facing, they are the best options:

Dana Air
Aero Contractors
Arik Air
Air Nigeria.

Not particularly in order of preference.

Thanks for that, much appreciated. And your preference?

If its down to on time departures,use DANA/AERO,DANA preferably.

ARIK/AIR NIGERIA have bad reputations for cancellations,and poor on time performance,but relatively a much more modern fleet.

They are all have acceptable levels of safety practice by any international standard,some been on the IOSA register.

If its down to the cabin crew use DANA,extremely short skirts.............

Thanks Nanga, and what to you think about their safety standards?

All four are relatively okay.

Thanks Nanga, sorry I only saw half your message at first and now see you already mentioned safey standards

Midnight, mr smith & nanga forgot to mention IRS AIRLINES their not to bad either in comparison to the rest safety wise and or on time departures. They also have some goodlooking cabin crew sans short skirts.:)

Just my own opinions...

AERO.....

Know some of the crews and mx guys and always no problem to fly with them....

OTHERS......

Virgin / Air Nigeria was the best ( wet leased A 320's, European crews, cash, etc ) but no too sure the many changes the past few years aren't more than just the name change.....ARIK have the equipment and marketing, but.....

Air Nigeria LGW
 

Air Nigeria was planning starting London Gatwick flights early september but they seem to be pretty quiet about it all of a sudden.
Anybody with an update on hiring and/or starting date ?

A good number of interviews have been conducted and start dates to some candidates; most of which are type rated and current. However, evidence of some logistics are still a little bit lacking considering September cometh in 28 days from hence. They may just be waiting to pull the rabbit out of the hat!

Air Nigeria Assessment
 

Hello all,

I have a sept assessment comming up with AN, does anyone have any insight

as to what to expect.Expat captain.

Thx.

Expat Life at Air Nigeria
 

For all those Foriegn pilots going or planning to work for air Nigeria, here are some issues to think about:

Rotation :NONE!!! does not exist and WILL NEVER EXIST!

Salary: Paid in Naira into a bank account that the control, with you.

Accommodation: Excellent above expectations!

Transportation: Their vehicles are in a very poor state, and safety is a big concern.

Flight operations: At best below standard, delays delays, and no one seems to care.

Rostering: though the do publish one, by the time u do show up for work you may find is had been changed to a very long day! and they will try to get you to work on your 7th day and even 8th day!!!!!

Taxes: though on paper you may make close to 1.35 million naira for an average 85hr month for Captains, and 750 to 970,000 naira for First officers with a 95 Block hr month. Air Nigeria taxes you at the rate of 50% for any money over 950,00 Naira. so in real dollars it means you will take home will be 6000.00 to 7500.00 dollars.
At present Air Nigeria has no mechanism for paying to a foreign account. Therefore this responsibility falls on you, so buying foreign exchange on the street at black marker rates, means that you will lose approx 5-700 dollars in the exchange, if you use the above after tax take home conversion, however you still have to transfer it thru the banking institution which will charge you approx another 200 dollars depending on the amount and currency.

So though they may say the salary is great, what they are not telling you is that what you work for is not what you actually get!!

So think carefully before you leap!!