Under the terms of the partnership, which starts at the 2011 Children’s Day celebration at the SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, Lagos, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), will become an official partner of Arik Air’s Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP), Arik Wingsplus.

According to Arik Air’s Vice President Planning & Marketing, Mr. Bert van der Stege, frequent flyers can give the miles that have been allocated to them to SOS Children’s Villages that will allow the children to use these miles for free flights on Arik Air if they need to travel.

He explains: “We are very pleased to enter into this partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria. This is in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility and our humble way of giving back to the Nigerian society”.

Arik Air also intends to have a scholars programme where the progress of the SOS children would be followed closely as they develop and grow up in stable family environments which enables them become independent decision making young members of the larger society .

“The SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and Arik Air Partnership is a unique way for Arik Air to establish a tangible connection and to invest in the future of the orphaned and abandoned children. And this relationship positions Arik Air as socially responsible in their markets, with their employees, customers and neighbours”, said Mrs. Uche Odiase, Head of Fundraising and Communication, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria. 

Arik Air is the first and only airline in Nigeria presenting supporting the SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria.