Arik Air started commercial flights on October 30, 2006, with only 3 aircraft- 3 Bombardier CRJ900s.
Today, 10 years later, our fleet have grown to 28.
We started operations with only the Lagos-Abuja route. Today, we fly to 18 domestic destinations and 10 regional and 3 international destinations (including regular schedule to New York JFK, London Heathrow and Johannesburg).
In 2006, we flew just 29, 363 passengers. As at September 30, 2016, we have flown 19,543,951 That is the entire population of Kano, Imo, Delta and Kwara combined.
Facts & Figures
From just 350 members of staff at inception, we have grown into a workforce of 2,201 (or state 2300 for consistency with previous releases), making us the largest employer of labour in the Nigerian aviation industry.
In the course of our operations, we have also employed nationals from 51 different countries, making us a truly multinational company.
The average hull age of our fleet is 7.8 years, making our fleet one of the youngest in Africa.
On the average we use about 500,000 litres of JET A1 daily.
Between 2011 and today, we have used over 800 million litres of aviation fuel.
Arik Air Firsts
We were the first commercial airline to operate brand new aircraft in Nigeria in over two decades.
First operator of Bombardier CRJ900 in Africa.
First operator of Airbus A340-500 aircraft in Africa.
First airline to operate Nigerian registered aircraft to the United States in almost 20 years.
First African operator of Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft.
First Nigerian operator of Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft.
First African operator of Bombardier Q400 aircraft.
Our Pride
Our safety record. We are the only Nigerian airline to have passed the stringent IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) four consecutive times and as a result we have EIOSA status. Leisure and business travelers have come to trust us because of our stringent rules on safety.
We are also proud to be the airline that opened up direct flights to the United States after the demise of Nigerian Airways, when we became the lead carrier in Nigeria’s attainment of US Category 1 Status and with the Part 129 certification by the US Department of Transport. The approval meant any Nigerian airline can now fly direct to the United States.
We are also proud to have connected many State capitals in Nigeria to Abuja, the Federal Capital. Prior to the advent of Arik Air, to get to Abuja, most travelers had to come to Lagos first before flying to Abuja.
Future outlook
Our vision and ambition is summed up by the phrase ‘Connectivity’
Our medium and long term plans are to open Nigeria up further and increase our footprint across Africa, Europe and North America, while also opening up new routes to Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
To support this ambitious expansion, additional aircraft and a larger fleet is required. We will be looking to add to our fleet varied medium and long range Next-Generation aircraft and intend to get to a fleet size of 52 by 2025.
Value added services
Arik Affinity Wings – Affinity Wings is the frequent flyer programme offered by Arik Air. It costs nothing to join and membership of the programme gives loyal customers the opportunity to earn and spend Affinity Miles with Arik Air. It also enables users to access exclusive benefits such as extra baggage allowance, access to Arik Air’s business lounges and priority airport check-in at select airports.
Mobile App – In 2013 Arik Air became the first sub-Saharan African airline to introduce booking through a mobile and tablet app in order to enhance the customer experience. This was introduced in partnership with mobile commerce firm SlimTrader.
Arik Explorer – In 2014 Arik Air launched Arik Explorer, a travel package that incorporates airline seats, hotels and car hire. The package is available at “premium” and “affordable” levels and can be customized to meet guests’ particular needs.
Awards
Airline of the Year, winner, Thisday Newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria, January 2007
International Quality Summit Award, Gold Category, New York, USA, May 2008United States International Partner Award, United States Commercial Service, Lagos, September 2008Airline of the Year, winner, Thisday Newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria, January 2009
Airline of the Year, winner, Thisday Newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria, January 2010
Company of the Year, winner, Leadership Awards for Excellence, Abuja, Nigeria, May 2010
Best Security Conscious Airline of The Year, Winner, Abuja, Nigeria, May 2010
Nigeria Airline Investment Award, Winner, Abuja, Nigeria, September 2010
Business Initiative Direction (BID) Platinum Award, World Quality Commitment Convention, Paris, France, October 2010
Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline in Nigeria and West Africa, Security Watch Africa, The Gambia, October 2011
Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline in West and Central Africa, Ghana, October 2012
Company of the Year 2012, Leadership Annual Conference, Abuja, Nigeria, April 2013
Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline Award 2013
West African Airline of the Year at the Ghana Aviation Awards 2016
