Arik Air, Nigeria’s leading commercial airline and the largest in West Africa, has pledged its continued commitment to the promotion of health and safety within the airline industry and also throughout its own areas of operation in Africa and internationally.

The airline gave the commitment at a reception to celebrate the UK’s National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health’s (NEBOSH) 30 years of offering training and examinations to the Health and Safety profession in the UK.

Arik Air’s Health and Safety Manager, Mr Noel Thomas, who is a fellow of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and a former ambassador of NEBOSH, attended the reception in the Cholmondeley Room of the House of Lords in Westminster, London (UK) in November. At the event Mr. Thomas said that Arik Air recognized the work that NEBOSH had undertaken over the course of the last 30 years. He also confirmed that Arik Air, launched just three years ago in October 2006 and already the largest airline in West Africa, would strive to achieve and implement best practices in health and safety, based on the content and standards of NEBOSH’s training.

“As a relatively young yet rapidly expanding Nigerian airline, Arik Air is highly honoured to be part of NEBOSH’s historical celebration. Having served the profession as a Chartered Fellow, Trainer and Examiner for over 30 years, my invitation to the House of Lords to celebrate 30 years of NEBOSH recognizes my personal commitment and contribution to the profession as one of its former ambassadors. For Arik Air to release me from my duties in Nigeria to attend the celebration in the House of Lords demonstrates the priority that the airline places on health and safety across all its areas of operation, ranging from the office environment to the front line,” said Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas presented a solid brass Arik Air logo to the Chairman of NEBOSH, Mr. David Morris and to the Chief Executive Officer, Ms Teresa Budworth.

Commenting on Mr. Thomas’ invitation to the prestigious event, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Jason Holt said that the airline recognized and identified with the achievements of NEBOSH and that Arik Air is highly committed to adhering to the highest standards in health and safety in the airline industry.

Mr. Holt explained: “From the outset of Arik Air’s operations in October 2006, safety has been and continues to remain our top priority and at no time will the airline compromise the safety of its guests or of its workforce. Mr. Thomas’ attendance at and participation in the NEBOSH 30-year celebratory event signals further the airline's commitment in this area.”

Arik Air is Nigeria’s leading commercial airline. It operates a fleet of 31 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft. The airline currently serves 22 airports across Nigeria as well as Accra (Ghana), Banjul (Gambia), Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Niamey (Niger), London Heathrow (UK), Johannesburg (South Africa) and New York JFK (USA).

The airline currently operates 130 flights daily from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja.

It employs a workforce of more than 1,800.