Posted by By Simon Ateba on
Arik Air, yesterday, announced the acquisition of three brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft for its Lagos-London operations, scheduled to commence next month.
Arik Air, yesterday, announced the acquisition of three brand new Airbus A340-500 aircraft for its Lagos-London operations, scheduled to commence next month.
P.M. News gathered that the A340-500 aircraft can fly 313 passengers, in a three-class cabin layout, at a time. Addressing journalists at a press conference, yesterday, at the Murtala Muhammed domestic airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the Managing Director of Arik Air Limited, Mr. Mike McTighe, disclosed that the acquisition marks the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa.
He added that Arik Air has become the 10th customer of this modern wide-body aircraft in the world. It was further disclosed that the A340-500, with four engines, spacious cabin with 2-4-2 seating in economy and 1-2-1 in premier (business first cabin), the aircraft offers a very comfortable environment for Nigerian passengers.
'We are absolutely thrilled that we are launching intercontinental routes with brand new aircraft. Arik Air delivers on its promises as we said we will launch domestic services with brand new aircraft and we did that with a brand new CRJ. We launched our first regional flight with a brand new 737 and we are launching our first international flight with a brand new A340,' McTighe said. The Arik Air boss also unveiled the Operation Control Center (OCC), of the airline, saying that the company is able to track any of its aircraft any time and anywhere in the world.
McTighe also disclosed that the airline has created over 1,200 jobs for Nigerians and connected the entire nation. 'We have made it possible to connect from many key cities in the country, direct to Lagos and Abuja. This network has stimulated the Nigerian economy as Nigerians can now travel safely and comfortably on brand new aircraft at competitive prices,' he said.