Arik Air on Monday said that it had flown over 17 million passengers on both domestic, regional and international routes in nine years.
The airline’s Managing Director, Chris Ndulue disclosed this at a briefing to mark the ninth anniversary of the airline in Lagos.
He said the carrier has struggled to keep its operations afloat despite challenges, which include hiccups in fuel supply, infrastructural limitations at the airports and others.
Arik also used the occasion to launch a customised domestic travel insurance for passengers in partnership with two indigenous firms.
Ndulue said the travel insurance policy provides cover against accident resulting in damage to baggage, missing bags , flight cancellations and delays , medical expenses , permanent disablement or bodily injury within 90 days of occurrence of the accident.
He said the airline had completed the process for its private placement for investors, which is scheduled for first quarter of next year.
Ndulue said the Initial Public Offer ( IPO) for the listing of the airline at the Nigerian Stock Exchange ( NSE) is billed for 2017.
anniversary press conference/launch of travel insurance in Lagos. 02/11/2015. PHOTO:ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA
The Managing Director spoke of plans by the airline to expand its operations on regional routes including; Abidjan in Cote d’ Ivoire and Dakar in Senegal this month.
Ndulue said Arik Air has concluded plans to acquire additional aircraft to boost its intercontinental operations.
He said, ” From just 29,363 passengers flown in 2006, within two of start up, Arik today has flown 17,304,741 passengers as at September 30, 2015. This is just less than nine years of operations.”
On the insurance, he said, “The policy provides cover accident resulting in damage to baggage, missing bags, flight cancellation/delays, medical expenses, permanent disablement or bodily injury within 90 days of the occurrence of the accident. The cover is valid for such accidents occurring whilst aboard Arik aircraft.”
