Posted by By UCHE USIM on
At last, Nigeria's leading airline, Arik Air has finally got the United Kingdom Authorities' approval to commence direct commercial flights between Lagos and London Heathrow.
At last, Nigeria's leading airline, Arik Air has finally got the United Kingdom Authorities' approval to commence direct commercial flights between Lagos and London Heathrow.
The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson who broke the news at the weekend during a general meeting with staff and management of the airline in Lagos said the company will ensure it makes the best use of the slots granted it.
He disclosed that direct flight services between both countries will commence in November this year.
In preparation for its first international flight to London, the airline will soon take delivery of three brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft which will start arriving this October.
The first two of wide bodied aircraft are due in Nigeria in October while the third will come in December.
'We are already discussing the configuration of the aircraft with Airbus. We expect to have 30 first class, premium class and 230 economy seat configuration," he said.
To cement the business relationship between Arik Air and the France-based aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, it is expected that the latest plane in its service, A380, will be coming to Nigeria on a demonstration flight especially for Arik Air when the A340-500 are being delivered.
An Airbus team which was made up of David Dufrenois, Vice President Sales, North and West Africa; and John Parkinson, Area Sales Director, Customer Affairs was at Arik Air on October 10, 2007, to do a presentation on the A350 XWB and A380 aircraft.
The presentation by the Airbus team dealt on the Airbus family, the capabilities and basic advantages of the aircraft over its competitors.
It would be recalled that discussions had been going on between Nigeria and the U.K. government on the need to allow the Nigerian carriers that have been designated on the Lagos-London route, to fly into Heathrow instead of Gatwick or Stanstead Airports.
The airline had filed its papers for the lucrative route for several months running, but had been put on the waiting list by the United Kingdom, who tried to dissuade the airline from operating into Heathrow.
Arik Air however stuck to its guns as Heathrow remains the main gateway of the UK and a major international hub.