In line with its route expansion plans, Air Nigeria, the country’s flag carrier, is set to recommence daily direct flights to London Gatwick using an Airbus A340-300 series aircraft starting September of 2011. The long-haul flight service is coming as the airline consolidates after the full implementation of its turn-around strategy in the last one year and has also completely reappraised its product offering on the international routes.
While making the announcement in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye said Air Nigeria is delighted to announce the re-commencement of the daily flight operations to London which will offer passengers seamless onward international connectivity as well as strengthen the existing socio-economic activities between both nations.
In preparation for the re-launch of the long haul flight operations, Air Nigeria is in the process of acquiring three state of the art Airbus A340-300 series aircraft.
“The imminent return of the airline on the long haul routes is part of the positive outcome of the ongoing turn-around initiatives and commitment of the chairman of the airline, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, towards building a world class airline in Nigeria and a demonstration of the confidence of the board of the airline to further invest in the airline by acquiring modern equipment to make it stand the test of time”, said Mr. Kahssaye.
He further noted that the board has approved the appointment of Captain Folayele Akinkuotu as the Director of International Operations to oversee the day-to-day administration of the international arm of the airline in addition to working with a team that will deliver feasible plans for the take-off of the long haul flights. He stated that Captain Akinkuotu’s excellent leadership qualities and competence demonstrated in previous roles in the airline will be invaluable in the discharge of his mandate.
Air Nigeria is one of the fastest growing airlines in West Africa and it adheres strictly to globally recognized standards as evident in its listing on the IATA Operational safety audit (IOSA) registry since 2007 after its successful completion of the intensive safety audit. With a vision to make air travel as seamless as possible, the airline is constantly reviewing and expanding its route network to meet the demands of passengers on the domestic as well as regional and international routes.
Air Nigeria has since its inception received numerous international and national endorsements and recognition for offering services that are tailored to suit passengers demands and just recently, it clinched the “Airline of the Year 2010” at the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV), in recognition of its outstanding contributions towards the development of the Nigerian aviation industry. The airline was last year named the Best Security Conscious Airline in West and Central Africa by Security Watch Africa for its strict adherence to prescribed aviation safety standards.
From its operational base at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Air Nigeria currently operates to Benin City, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Sokoto and Enugu on the domestic routes while it also operates to Brazzaville, Accra, Douala, Dakar, Monrovia, Cotonou, Banjul, Libreville and Abidjan with further plans to extend services to more African destinations, Europe, Asia and the Americas.