Airbus has confirmed Nigerian carrier Arik Air is to take three Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered Airbus A340-500s, originally destined for Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines.
Lagos-based Arik has signed a firm purchase contract for the three aircraft, all of which are slated for delivery by the end of November.
Arik chairman Sir Joseph Arumemi-Johnson says: "This aircraft order will enable Arik Air to start international connections with new and modern aircraft that will support our objective to become one of Africa's key airlines."
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The Nigerian carrier will use the aircraft to develop its Lagos and Abuja hubs. It plans to deploy them in a two-class configuration on its new routes to London, New York and Houston.
An Airbus spokesman says: "They were originally destined for Kingfisher and, given some rearrangement of aircraft with Kingfisher, we saw a need for them with Arik Air because they desperately need the aircraft."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
