Arik Air takes delivery of first B737-800NG, increases fleet to 26
18/03/2009
Arik Air has taken delivery of yet another brand new Boeing aircraft to increase its fleet size to 26.
Nigeria’s leading commercial airline, Arik Air has taken delivery of yet another brand new Boeing aircraft to increase its fleet size to 26. The latest addition, a brand new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, is so far the biggest version of the Boeing aircraft series in the airline’s ever-increasing fleet.
The new aircraft arrived at Arik Air’s hangar at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos last week direct from the Boeing Corporation in Seattle, U.S.A. Earlier last month, Arik Air had taken delivery of two additional Boeing 737-700. The new Boeing 737-800NG is one of the first two to be delivered this month to the airline.
Commenting on the latest acquisition, Arik Air’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr. Suraj Sundaram, said: “This is a proud moment for us as we take delivery of our first B737-800 NG aircraft, graduating from our current fleet of Boeing 737-700s and 737-300s, continuing our commitment of utilizing the most advanced technology to maintain our leading position in the market. With us, guests can always be assured of flying the most modern and superior aircraft in the industry, both in terms of efficiency and comfort. This aircraft will enable introduction of new routes within Africa to cater to the requests of our growing customer base.”
The Boeing 737-800 is a new, stretched version of the 737-400. It incorporates all the enhancements found on other members of the Next-Generation 737 family, including a redesigned passenger cabin; a flight deck featuring the most versatile display system offered on any commercial jetliner, and improvements in operating performance.
The aircraft which comes with personalized in-flight entertainment for the comfort of the airline’s guests is configured to carry 148 passengers with 16 business class seats and 132 economy seats.
The winglets in Boeing 737-800 offer reduced noise on takeoff and increased optimum cruise altitude and represent the latest technology to improve flight performance and economics.
Arik Air’s modern state-of-the-art fleet of 26 aircraft will now be made up of two Airbus A340-500, two Boeing 737-300, eight Boeing 737-700, one Boeing 737-800, four Bombardier CRJ900, two Hawker HS 125-800XP, three Bombardier Q300 and four Fokker 50.
Arik Air is Nigeria’s leading airline servicing 20 airports with over 100 flights a day and employing a work force of 1,300.