Medview Airline, one of the fastest growing domestic airlines, will on November 20, 2015, begin direct flight services to London from Lagos.
Medview has therefore joined Arik Air as indigenous airlines that now operate the lucrative London route, which is dominated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, UK carriers that for years introduced exploitative fares, which in comparative terms, are the highest in West Africa.
With two Nigerian airlines operating to London it is hoped that fares to Europe’s busiest city would crash in coming months.
The airline’s managing director, MuneerBankole, said a news conference in Lagos that it will start with N149,000 (Economy) and N599,000 (Business class) with a 32kg (2-piece) baggage allowance on economy and a 32kg (3-piece) baggage allowance on Business class.
He said the airline has also secured slots at Gatwick Southern Terminal in London with additional services such as Limousine service for Business class travelers and bus connections to Victoria station and various points in central, south and East London.
“The Lagos-London route has remained one of the busiest in the world yet remained the most expensive, it is against this backdrop that Medview airline is entering the route as a Nigerian flag carrier to supply the missing link- capacity, reasonable fares, good customer care ad excellent in-flight entertainment.
“Our introductory fare on Economy is as low as N149,000, in addition, African/continental meals will be served on board with a variety of music and films to compliment, the B767 aicraft has been configured in 30 Business class and 191 Economy cabin. We are starting with four weekly flight on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays”, he said.
Bankole, who disclosed that Medview has entered into partnership with Ethiopian airline and Boeing on maintenance of it aircraft, he added that it will by the first quarter of 2016, attain its International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a benchmark for global safety management in airlines.
Also speaking, Godfrey Ogbogu, head of flight operations of the airline said the route (Gatwick), is carefully chosen, the transport network in the area is easy ‘as we will also align our domestic network with it’.
AyodejiDipeolu, chief pilot added that all the crew that will work on the flight have been thoroughly trained adding that the travelling public should be rest assured of safety in all ramifications.
Also industry consultant, Chris Aligbe said Medview’s entrant to the London route would bring down fares, curb the exploitation of Nigerian passengers and also improve in-flight services as the route would henceforth become more competitive.
