Arik Air, Nigeria's largest commercial airline today announced the suspension of flight services into Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu following the decision of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to close the airport to allow for the extension of the runway. The suspension takes effect from midnight of Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Arik Air Managing Director, Mr. Jason Holt, disclosed that the airline has consequently increased its frequency in and out of the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri to take care of guests who will be affected by the temporary closure of Enugu Airport.

"We feel that our guests who use the Enugu Airport daily for their business shuttles will be affected by this closure. In order to minimize the inconvenience occasioned by the closure, Arik Air is increasing frequencies into Owerri Airport which we have identified as a good alternative for guests wishing to connect Enugu," Mr. Jason stressed.

Arik Air Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Suraj Sundaram elaborated: "With the closure of Enugu Airport at midnight on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, Arik Air will increase its operations between Lagos and Owerri to three daily flights and between Owerri and Abuja to two daily flights. Enugu, Nigeria's coal city and capital of the old Eastern Region, is central to Arik Air's operations and this explains why it was one of the airline's early destinations to be connected shortly after launch in 2006. Additionally, we will also be offering more capacity to and from Benin to both Lagos and Abuja."

Daily flights from Lagos to Owerri will depart at 7:30am, 2:00pm and 4:30pm while Owerri to Lagos will leave at 8:00am, 10:50am and 4:00pm. Flights from Abuja to Owerri will depart at 9:10am and 2:20pm. Owerri to Abuja will leave at 9:15am and 3:45pm.

Arik Air will be deploying one of its modern Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the Owerri and Benin routes. The aircraft is configured to carry 126 passengers (12 business and 114 economy seats).

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 over 130 flights daily from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja.

It employs a workforce of more than 2000.