Første CRJ900 til Afrika

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Bombardier Makes First African CRJ900 Sale To Arik Air

Toronto, May 03, 2006

Bombardier Aerospace announced that Arik Air of Lagos, Nigeria has exercised a firm order for two Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. Arik Air will be the first CRJ900 operator on the African continent, and the first airline to introduce new commercial aircraft into Nigeria since 1982.

The list price value for the two aircraft is approximately $69 million US.
Arik Air moved into the former Nigeria Airlines Ltd facilities in Lagos in April this year and will operate the CRJ900 aircraft on domestic routes within Nigeria starting July 2006. The aircraft will have a two-class interior with 10 business class seats and 65 economy seats. The airline also plans to operate two previously owned Boeing 737 and three previously owned 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets, built in 2003.

“We are delighted that Arik Air will introduce the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to African travelers,” said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “Arik Air will benefit from an aircraft with the best operating economics in its class while its passengers will enjoy excellent cabin comfort and the benefits of international aviation standards.”

“With our new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, we are setting new standards that will change the face of the aviation industry in Nigeria and offer a totally new travel experience linking the provinces of the country with our largest cities,” said Alex van Elk, Managing Director, Arik Air. “The CRJ900 has proven to be efficient and reliable and we will also benefit from its commonality with the CRJ200 aircraft. This is in line with our strategy to deliver an airline that Nigerians will be proud to fly.”

About Arik Air
Arik Air is a new airline that will fly domestic routes throughout Nigeria from July 2006, and will introduce international routes to the US, UK and Far East by 2008. Arik Air has taken ownership of the assets of the former Nigerian Airlines Ltd in Lagos including the main Head Office Complex, and all ancillary buildings where it will base and maintain the airline’s fleet of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, three Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft built in 2003 and two Boeing 737 built in 1990.

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her er litt mer om Arik Air

Nigerian start-up Arik Air details initial business plan
Kerry Ezard, London (04May06, 17:42 GMT, 342 words)


Nigerian start-up Arik Air expects to receive its air operator’s certificate (AOC) at the end of June and is planning to launch domestic operations in July, before expanding its network to include international routes.

The Lagos-based carrier yesterday signed a firm order with Bombardier for two CRJ900s, which are scheduled for delivery next month.

Arik has also leased two former United Airlines Boeing 737-300s and three used Bombardier CRJ200s, says a spokeswoman for the carrier. These aircraft will also be delivered next month, but will need to be “completely overhauled and refurbished” before entering service.

Arik has moved into the former headquarters building of defunct Nigeria Airways in Lagos and is aiming to set “new European safety standards that will change the face of the aviation industry in Nigeria”.

The carrier will formally unveil its planned domestic routes next week, says the spokeswoman. These will include flights to Abuja and Port Harcourt, as well as “at least seven” other destinations, she adds. The start-up plans to expand its fleet further “in due course” and will eventually add international services to the UK and the USA.

Arik Air’s primary investor is Nigerian businessman JIA Arumeni-Johnson, who will be the airline’s chairman. It is unclear how much capital he has invested in the carrier.

Alex van Elk has been named managing director while Mike McTighe will fill the role of chief operating officer.

Nigerian aviation minister Babalola Borishade has praised Arik’s business plan and, in a statement, urges other airlines in the African state to “acquire brand new aircraft straight from the factories for their operations, to acquaint themselves with new technologies”.

Borishade adds that he “commends the standards being set by Arik Air” and has been “pleasantly surprised that it is striving to bring back the solid culture and potentials of building a huge back-up for airline operation in the country”.

Nigeria’s Government has ordered a complete re-certification of all airlines operating in the country following a spate of recent accidents including the fatal 20 October crash of a Bellview Airlines Boeing 737-200.


Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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