Arik Air today commenced flight operations to Calabar, capital of Cross Rivers State. The Calabar-bound passengers were flown in the airline's new CRJ900 aircraft. Arik Air's Managing Director, Mr. Michael McTighe said the airline would operate two daily flights to Calabar. He assured the passengers of unique in-flight services with emphasis on safety and comfort.

After much expectation and anticipation, Arik Air commenced scheduled passenger flights today with four flights to Abuja in the new CRJ900 aircraft. Many passengers spoken to described their flight as smooth and comfortable and promised to fly Arik Air again.

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson today addressed a press conference at the Transcorp hilton Hotel Abuja where he reaffirmed the airline's commitment to safety. Arumemi-Johnson alsorepresented Arik Air in sending condolences to the families of the victims of yesterday's tragic plane crash which shook the aviation world. The former Managing Director of Arik Air, Alex van Elk and his successor, Michael McTighe were also present.

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Arumemi-Johnson today addressed a press conference at the Arik Aviation Centre, where he announced that the airline had postponed its scheduled commercial operations to allow it carry out a comprehensive test flights on all its aircraft, including the new Bombardier CRJ900. The test flights will cover Abuja, Owerri, Enugu, Benin and Kano.

Aviation Correspondents from the media this afternoon witnessed the inaugural flight of Arik Air's new CRJ900 on a test flight to Abuja. Only the pilots and the crew were on the flight.

 

The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson and a Director of the airline, Mr. Ewo Dare Mabiaku joined the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Michael McTighe to witness the occasion.

At a high profile event attended by over 1,000 guests, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Professor Babalola Borishade represented the President for the inauguration of the office complex and hangar facilities of Arik Air. The chief hosts, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson and his wife Mary, welcomed the representative of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Director General/CEO of the NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren; Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie; representatives of Boeing, Bombardier and Lufthansa and other dignitaries to the ceremony.

At a colourful celebration in the Arik Air Boardroom, the wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Mary Arumemi-Johnson, presented diploma certificates to Arik Air crew after they had successfully completed their training on the Boeing 737-322 and the new CRJ900 aircraft. Top officials of the company, including the Chairman and the parents of the graduating students attended the ceremony.

24 hours ahead of the Arik Air inauguration party, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson, charged all Arik Air staff with the challenge of preparing for a new dawn in the aviation industry. Every member of staff, he emphasised, is an ambassador of the airline.

Two Boeing 737-322 aircraft today joined Arik Air's growing fleet. The airline had on Monday taken delivery of three new CRJ 900 at the Arik Air Aviation Centre.The total number of aircraft in the fleet is now seven, including two Hawker Executive Jets.

History was made today as Arik Air took delivery of three brand new Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft at its aviation terminal. It was the first time in over twenty years that an airline would take delivery of new aircraft. 

Arik Air held a press conference today at the Arik Aviation Centre to announce details of the airline's launch and the opening of dedicated reservation call centres. 

Arik Air held another edition of its Staff Briefing at the Planet One Hotel. The MD and the COO briefed staff on the preparations for the take off of the airline. The occasion was rounded off with a party.

Arik Air is sponsoring 16 students from fifteen states of the federation to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria for the Standard Pilot Course. The course which will last for one and a half years, will cost the airline 116 million Naira.

Nigeria's new airline, Arik Air will spend about $500,000 (five hundred thousand dollars) on the training of ten pilots in Montreal, Canada and in the United Kingdom. The pilots are to be trained on the company's new aircraft, Bombardier CRJ900 and on Boeing 737-322.

Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Alex van Elk, told the press yesterday that the airline will change the face of aviation in Nigeria.

To strenghten its operations, Arik Air has concluded arrangements to partner with Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance arm of the world famous airline, Lufthansa.