Arikmetics

[GlobalFlyer]

There's a lovely blog exclusively devoted to Arik Air, its latest developments and strategies.

Http://arikmetics.wordpress.com

Cheers :)

[chuks]

I keep adding them up but I cannot get to 31 aircraft in Arik's fleet. I mean right here right now and not an imaginary flight of three 787s, say. Can someone enlighten me?

[Rani]

2 x A340-500 (wet leased from HiFly)
4 x 737-800
9 x 737-900
2 x 737-300
4 x CRJ-900
3 x DH8-400
3 x DH8-300 (wet leased from Denim)
2 x F50 (wet leased from Denim)
2 x Hawker 800 (used for charters)

Total: 31

Orders: 777, 787, 737-800/900, CRJ-1000

[Dushan]

I think I saw a Q400 at Downsview a few months ago with that livery being tested, pre-delivery. Maybe they are counting that too.

[exeng]

2 Q400's now and both operating services.



Regards
Exeng

[TonyWilliams]

2 x A340-500 (wet leased from HiFly)
4 x 737-800
9 x 737-900
2 x 737-300
4 x CRJ-900
3 x DH8-400
3 x DH8-300 (wet leased from Denim)
2 x F50 (wet leased from Denim)
2 x Hawker 800 (used for charters)

Total: 31

Orders: 777, 787, 737-800/900, CRJ-1000

All this information can be found in public places, including the Arik web site.

Arik Air - About Us (http://www.arikair.com/arikair/racine_site/about_us.asp?page=Aircraft-Fleet&id_sessionlangue=2)

The specifications of various aircraft in our operating fleet as of November 12th, 2009 are given below.


Aircraft: Airbus A340-542
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Boeing 737-800NG
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Boeing 737-700NG
Quantity: 6

Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Quantity: 3

Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ-900
Quantity: 4

Aircraft: Bombardier Dash 8 Q400
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Bombardier Dash 8 Q300
(Denim Air Wet Lease)
Quantity: 3

Aircraft: Fokker 50
(Denim Air Wet Lease)
Quantity: 3

Aircraft: Hawker HS 125-800XP
Quantity: 2


The 340's are owned by Arik, not HiFly. Therefore, in the strict sense of the words, they are not "wet leased". The Arik web site (quoted above) does not call them wet leased. How about "dry lease"?

There are no 737-900's. None.

There are currently only 2 Dash-8-Q400's

The web site claims 3 Fokkers.

I don't think there is even three, let alone 4 B737-800's, but I could be wrong. Again, Arik website says 2.

[LOS]

This is it (31 aircraft in operation):

Aircraft: Airbus A340-542
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Boeing 737-800NG
Quantity: 3 (5N-MJN, -MJO and -MJP)

Aircraft: Boeing 737-700NG
Quantity: 6

Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Quantity: 3

Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Quantity: 2 (5N-MJB probably still stored at Southend for engine change)

Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ-900
Quantity: 4

Aircraft: Bombardier Dash 8 Q400
Quantity: 2

Aircraft: Bombardier Dash 8 Q300
(Denim Air Wet Lease)
Quantity: 3

Aircraft: Fokker 50
(Denim Air Wet Lease)
Quantity: 2 (+ 2 for Arik Niger; not sure about the numbers, changes due to maintenance)

Aircraft: Hawker HS 125-800XP
Quantity: 2

Awaiting delivery a B738 (5N-MJQ) and a Q400 (5N-BKW). It appears Arik won't get a third A345 for now.

TW, are you still on the CRJ?

[exeng]

I don't think there is even three, let alone 4 B737-800's, but I could be wrong. Again, Arik website says 2.

Arik website needs updating - the latest 737-800 to arrive is 5N-MJP making a total of 3 - more to arrive.

No 900's though


Regards
Exeng

[TonyWilliams]

It appears Arik won't get a third A345 for now.

TW, are you still on the CRJ?


Perhaps Arik will get something better than a A340 ???? :ok:

Yes, on CRJ.

[GlobalFlyer]

Tony!

Please dont keep us in the dark and do share with us the rumour! Is Arik seriously looking into other options? I doubt honestly. They dont intend to grow beyond LHR, JFK and JNB in 2010 !!

But if they wish to fly daily to JFK they will need a 3rd.

[JTrain]

Its very well run by whomever is putting it together. Perhaps a guerilla marketing campaign?

JT

[TonyWilliams]

Please dont keep us in the dark and do share with us the rumour! Is Arik seriously looking into other options?


Obviously..... I can't give out anything that is not released by the company, or the press somewhere has outed them on.

To my knowledge, I haven't read anything in the local papers or internet (where I get a lot of information on my own company) about "other options".

[captseth]

How's JFK doing?

[tangowisky]

The answer to ur question is yes arik is expanding next stop is now houston,texas then paris &Beijing its now official texas is next on de list starting from march and two A330's are coming in by january. Been paid for alreay. While de 777s are expected in march 2 to be exact. One will replace de airbus going to new york .
So i hope this answers ur questions

[GlobalFlyer]

Tangowiskey,

Last I checked the new 777 fleet was not due till 2011. Are these leased birds?

It seems odd the A340-500, A330-200 and 777 would be operated at once. Big mix for a relatively small long haul fleet don't you think?

Unless the 777 is the new order delivered earlier than scheduled (due to a cancelled slot by another airline), it would be alright as the A340 gets replaced, but then again they only have 2 A340s!!

Lagos-Houston now would be a HUGE seller and the first nonstop route (assuming its direct to LOS and not through JFK). Not sure about Beijing or Paris, better to add Hong Kong or Shanghai in my opinion, thats where most of the traders go. In Europe, flying to a place with a bigger Nigerian population is better than Paris. I dont see any O&D traffic between LOS and CDG beyond the traditional oil&gas market which Air France serves well.

[Rani]

I think Milan, Frankfurt and increasingly Madrid host significant Nigerian communities and would be viable routes for Arik Air (at least in 737-800). Asia-bound, Beijing makes more sense in the long run because that's where China is focusing its mega projects.

[TonyWilliams]

While de 777s are expected in march 2 to be exact.


If Arik is to get the planes that are currently on the production line in Renton, they won't be airworthy on March 2.... to be exact ;-) Boeing says third quarter 2010, which probably will be 2011, per Arik's own public data.

Also, I think your other projections are a bit optimistic. No mention of A330's on the Arik public web site, and no press release to such. Perhaps you know of a link to such machines?

The route map is on the Arik web site, included future planned destinations. No need to guess. They want you to know!!

As to how the loads are to JFK, or any place else out of Lagos, just get your cheap aviation frequency scanner, and listen to what the crews tell ATC on the radio, every time they take off or land. Simple, cheap way to judge your competition!!! Maybe there should be one of these:

Listen to Live ATC (Air Traffic Control) Communications | LiveATC.net (http://www.liveatc.net)

[Rani]

Tony, the route network is outdated. I believe they've done some more soul-searching network-wise and the result is not necessarily reflected on that map which is at least 1.5 yrs old. For example Abu Dhabi is not on it despite Arik approaching AUH authorities officially for a 3 slots/week.

[TonyWilliams]

I'm quite familiar with the plans of Arik, as a company employee. By asking for a reference, I'm looking for a method to comment publically.

If it's not disclosed by my company, or another news source, I'm not able to comment. If you can find a public resource about A330's at Arik, I'm very certain that there may be something that I can contribute to the conversation.

Capice?

[Mr. Smith]

Interesting that Houston is next in March '10. I was under the impression there would be no new long-haul routes opened up next year, instead expanding in Africa would continue. Would be nice to have both JFK & IAH on their routemap.

A330 on the LOS - LHR, then A340's on LOS - IAH or perhaps LOS - JFK - IAH?

[pechatwar]

Could any happyflyer at ARIK provide us the right contact in charge of pilot's recruitment (email/ phone ) ?
Thanks :ok:

[TonyWilliams]

Could any happyflyer at ARIK provide us the right contact in charge of pilot's recruitment (email/ phone ) ?


Both Sigmar and Protec recruit for Arik.

[pechatwar]

Thank you Tony;
But we would like to get rid of all these agencies and have a direct link for recruitment at ARIK's level . If possible ... Thanks :ok:

[exeng]

Arik obviously prefer to use agencies for recruitment.

I work for Arik but have no direct number for recruitment.

Local folk who work for local airlines (i.e. Virgin Nigeria and ex airline Bellview) have approached Arik directly in person - successfully)

If you happen to be local it may be worth a try.

If you happen to live a few thousand miles away Arik may be impressed with the effort you have made.

Best of luck.


Regards
Exeng

[pechatwar]

You're absolutely right EXENG !
From the "inside" : do you have any name / contacts / mail at the H.R level or the D.F.O (chief pilot ... ) for ARIK Nigeria ?
Thanks :ok:

[TonyWilliams]

From the "inside" : do you have any name / contacts / mail at the H.R level or the D.F.O (chief pilot ... ) for ARIK Nigeria ?
Thanks


They use outside agencies to hire, in part, so they don't get zillions of unsolicited offers of employment from unknowns.

Like was stated above, showing your face at the door of Arik offers you the highest likelihood of employment.

There are over a dozen B737's ordered, and folks do leave. That's where the most pilot jobs will be at Arik.

[LOS]

The A330 is actually on its way: Arik Air Takes Delivery Of First A330-200 Aviation in Nigeria (http://nigerianaviation.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/arik-air-takes-delivery-of-first-a330-200/)

So, will the b777 still follow, tangowiskey?

[TonyWilliams]

Boeing says that Arik was offered a B777 3rd quarter 2009, but could not agree on a price to reconfigure to Arik specs.

The airframes are on the assembly line now, beginning late 2010 delivery. My personal thought, and this is purely conjecture, is that we'll never actually see a wide body Boeing (well, maybe a 787 way done the road). I think that the flood of Airbuses on the market will somehow replace them.

And, that probably makes sense. A340 and A330 are common types (differences training), so the same pilot group can fly both.

Today, Boeing should have delivered "Q", the 17th 737, this one an -800NG.

[vagabond 47]

Hi Tony,
Is ARIK taking over 60s.
I have 7000hrs(P1) ng, within europe.S/E Asia, ETOPS and Chk/Tng
Reside in Africa on Arik route and flown throughout incl Nigeria.
Have non-current Nigeria license ex Aero Contractors.
Would prefer a "bang on the door".

Cheers.

[TonyWilliams]

Over 60? Not sure. I think the same rules apply here as most of the rest of the world. Other pilot has to be under 60.

I know there won't be much hiring for the next few months, but certainly get your name in the hat if you're interested. What part of the Arik route do you live in?

[vagabond 47]

JHB........... if you have a phone contact would appreciate a PM.
Regards V.

[Don K]

I dont believe that they take in pilots above the age of 60, I know one that did'nt get the job because of his age(63). Maybe your previous experience in Nigeria and your Nigerian license(even though it has expired) could help you get a local contract, and be permanently based in Nigeria! :ugh:

[bear11]

The NCAA age limit was 60 the last time I checked so it's not an airline limitation, but always worth checking as things can change.