Nigerian start-up Arik Air is in discussions about buying new and secondhand widebody aircraft for its long-haul network, to be introduced next year.
The airline aims to launch short-haul services by early October and will take delivery this year of two ex-United Airlines Boeing 737-300s as well as three new Bombardier CRJ900s and three secondhand CRJ200s leased from GE Commercial Aviation Services.
Arik Air managing director Alex Van Elk says the airline's owner - Nigerian powerplant manufacturer Rockson Engineering - has purchased the assets of the country's now defunct flag carrier Nigeria Airways, including its old aircraft, hangars and headquarters. "The deal included Nigeria Airways' old [Airbus] A310 and [McDonnell Douglas] DC-10 aircraft, which we are scrapping," he says.
Van Elk says negotiations are underway with Airbus, Boeing and other suppliers about the acquisition of "three or four" widebodies for delivery next year: "The short lead-time may mean we have to take secondhand aircraft in the interim." He adds that more short-haul aircraft are also wanted.
Arik Air has local approvals in place to launch transatlantic services from Lagos to Atlanta and Houston next year, as well as flights to London Stansted. The initial short-haul network, to start by October, comprises nine domestic and four international services.
Source: Flight International