Posted by By UCHE USIM, Seattle, Washington, USA on
In preparations for its intercontinental operations, Nigeria's leading airline, Arik Air on Monday placed order for three B747-800 super jumbo jets at the Boeing headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA.
In preparations for its intercontinental operations, Nigeria's leading airline, Arik Air on Monday placed order for three B747-800 super jumbo jets at the Boeing headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA.
This is in addition to the three B777-200LRs already on order to be delivered in 2013.
At the delivery of two additional B737-700NG event in Seattle Washington, USA, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Boeing, Scott Carson described the B747-800 order as historic, revealing that Arik is the first airline in Africa to place order for the yet-to-be manufactured aircraft which is expected to enter into service in 2014 and would cost the carrier close to a billion dollars.
Carson described Arik Air as the emerging airline of the African continent, judging from its audacious request for brand new aircraft and manpower investment.
The Executive Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, who announced the order in a dramatic manner said the airline will remain glued to the Boeing company for its commercial aviation requirements.
He noted that the carrier transverses the entire spectrum of fleet as sector segment offered by Boeing on the narrow body short haul fleet, to the intermediate twin-aisle long haul fleet, to the wide body long haul fleet and now the 'big bird" with such complete and dedicated complements of aircraft, it is utterly imperative that Boeing continues to advance the commitment made to Arik and indeed the people of Nigeria."
Arumemi-Johson explained that prior to the advent of Arik Air, air transportation within Nigeria had fallen into a maligned state of disrepair and destitution.
His words: 'To be honest with you, Arik has only benefited from subsequent climate of change ushered in by the government of Nigerian and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). We, as a nation, are indebted to these leaders who laid the cornerstone for the transition which has and is occurring."
The Arik boss appealed to Nigerian government to solve the infrastructure issues that plagued the aviation sector in Nigeria and blight the efforts being made by Nigerian operators.
He however drew the Nigerian government's attention to the fact that the problem of terminals and infrastructure is resolved, the investments today stands at perilous risks, alongside the likes of the traveling public of Nigeria.
Speaking on safety, the government must look to address the ongoing issue of birds strike, adding that this menace continues to compromise operations and safety.
'Arik Air cannot grow in a vacuum, as it develops into the nation's airline; it's our desire to witness the complementary development of our CAA."
He also appealed to Boeing to work with the NCAA in order to bring their systems and knowledge base up to date, while also imploring the aircraft giant to assist in providing training to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
This, he said will not improve air safety but also help inculcate maintenance culture and airmanship.
It would be recalled that a high profile delivery ceremony in Seattle, the airline took delivery of two new B737-700NG while represents an additional investment of over $118.5 million each by the carrier.
The two new aircraft, however, departed Seattle for Lagos directly aftere the delivery ceremony and it's expected to arrive Arik Air's hangar today.
The aircraft is expected to commence sheduled commercial operations on June 1, covering Lagos, Abuja and Calabar routes.
The airline also has traffic rights to Italy, Spain and other European routes which it intends to service as soon as it takes delivery of the intercontinental aircraft.
The airline also intends to commence its Lagos-Houston operation with a wet-leased aircraft in December 2008.