Første CRJ900 til Afrika

[CK]

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.