How Arik is reshaping the air

arik air

In 2006, Arik Air was set up with a vision to make Nigeria proud of its aviation industry and three years down the line ...

the airline is still gliding almost effortlessly inspiring awe and envy among competitors; the vision at least for now has not been blurred by turbulence, one can cautiously say.
From a humble beginning, operating three brand new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, Arik Air distinguished itself as the only airline in Nigeria that has used brand new aircraft for its operations in over 20 years.
This is in line with the airlines mission to ensure safe operations and convenience of its passengers.
 Arik Air's achievement, when compared with its short period in the skies is commendable in terms of performance. Though for some few incidents, the airline has carried out relatively safe and smooth operations, which explains why most air travelers prefer to fly them. Business Hallmark gathered that since beginning operations three years ago on 30 October, 2006, Arik Air has carried more than 3.5 million guests on board 51,000 scheduled flights as at December 31, 2009. The airline now operates 124 flights daily from two hubs, Lagos and Abuja, and serves 21 Nigerian airports. To the airline's Managing Director, Mr Jason Holt, “Arik Air is the success story of Nigerian aviation.”
Backing up his position, Mr Holt explained that a number of different yet equally important factors have contributed to this success. He explained: “A key reason is the airline's extensive network of services and high level of frequency on routes within the 'golden triangle' - Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Within Nigeria, Arik Air serves 19 other airports from Lagos and Abuja. The airline serves five regional destinations - Accra (Ghana), Banjul (Gambia), Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). Internationally, Arik Air serves London Heathrow and Johannesburg daily from Lagos. Our guests, especially those who travel frequently, value the access we provide within the home market, regionally and two of the most important international markets for Nigerians, the UK and South Africa.”
Another key factor that features highly among Arik Air guests' reasons for choosing the airline is its focus on maintaining a safe, secure and reliable operation. According to the Managing Director, this is a critical area for the continued success of the airline and one where there can be no complacency. Mr Holt continued: “To help achieve and maintain this position, Arik Air has partnered with some of the world's most experienced and technically competent aircraft maintenance providers including Lufthansa Technik for our Boeing 737 fleet and Lufthansa Cityline for our Bombardier CRJ fleet. To reinforce further our operational strength and reliability, the airline has invested heavily in its operations infrastructure. The Operations Control Centre (OCC) at the Arik Air Aviation Centre in Lagos, where a team of highly trained professionals tracks the movement of our fleet round the clock, is the most technologically advanced in Africa. Resulting from our constant focus in each of these key areas, by standard industry benchmarks the airline has achieved an operations reliability factor of more than 98%, of which we are extremely proud.”
Arik Air would be an attractive equity to buy, but for now, the airline does not seem to be thinking in that direction.
Arik's “unrivalled service” according to the company's corporate communications manager, Mr Adebanji Ola stands the airline out from competition. Ola told Business Hallmark that the company places much priority on its passengers and their safety.
From the time the airline was being planned in 2006, Arik Air was committed to offering its Nigerian guests a world-class travel experience, exceeding the quality of service offered by many airlines in the developed economies. During the past three years, Arik Air's management and staff have worked diligently to adhere to that early customer-centric business philosophy. The airline continues to place considerable emphasis on this aspect of its operation, an investment that helps the airline win many loyal guests. “When they fly with us, our guests enjoy World Class on-board service, especially on our new Airbus A340-500 fleet that offers lie-flat beds in Premier Class, the most spacious seat in Economy Class and an exceptional choice of personal TV and entertainment options,” said Mr Holt.
The airline's Managing Director emphasized that Arik Air is first and foremost a Nigerian airline and that in achieving past and future success, the contribution of the airline's Nigerian workforce cannot be overlooked. Mr Holt explained: “Not only is Arik Air the largest airline in Nigeria it is also a Nigerian airline and therefore employing and investing in a Nigerian workforce have remained two of our highest corporate priorities. The airline currently employs a workforce of more than 1,500 Nigerians, including 70 Captains and First Officers and 220 Cabin Crew. As the airline expands, these levels are set to rise further. In 2006, the year of the airline's launch, Arik Air instituted a scholarship program aimed at training Nigerian graduates to become pilots, resulting in an initial N16 million investment by the airline. To date, 15 Nigerian cadets have progressed through the program. Similarly, 40 new Nigerian Cabin Crew are also going through the multiple phases of their training programs in readiness for the next phases of the airline's expansion. Throughout the past three years, investment in our Nigerian workforce has been an integral part of Arik Air's business ethos. That is set to continue.”
Arik Air' Managing Director said that the milestones of the airline's past three years speak volumes about the investment, experience and skill that have driven the airline to the position it occupies today - Nigeria's most important commercial airline, West Africa's largest and one of Africa's fastest growing. Mr Holt continued: “Focusing on the future, the airline has a strong and aggressive network expansion strategy and to support that plan, the airline has placed orders for more than 20 new aircraft including five new Boeing 777-300ERs and 15 Boeing 737-800s. The airline is also set to continue developing its regional and international networks. Later this year, Arik Air will launch the first non-stop flight in a decade between Lagos and New York, re-connecting Nigeria's commercial hub with one of the world's foremost centres for international business. This will be a historic day for Nigerian Aviation brought about by Arik Air, a Nigerian airline. Building on the success of the past three years, Arik Air's new service to New York will set the tone for the scale of its ambitions for the next two years.”