The N174bn commitment fund is justifiable-Ortom

L-R: Engr. Benedict Adeyileka Ag.DG,NCAA; Engr. Saleh Dunoma MD FAAN; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Supervising Minister of Aviation and others at the inspection tour of Lagos airports yesterday.

The Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom while inspecting the on-going projects at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos said the controversial N174 billion commitment fund is justifiable giving to the projects on ground at the airports across the country.

“From what I have seen, the N174 billion commitment fund is justifiable”-said the minister.

The minister also expressed that no part of the on-going remodeling projects will be halted and that no fresh project will be embarked upon except there is urgent need for such.

According to Dr. Ortom, “We are not interested in starting a fresh project. Those projects that are 80, 70 per cent and the ones half way complete will be given proper attention to ensure completion”.

On the issue of calibration, the minister said he has asked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA to work together and arrive at agreeable conclusion as both agencies were set up by Acts to govern their functions.

The minister inspected the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, the Total Radar Coverage TRACON, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the fire station, power house among others. He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Engr. Benedict Adeyileka and Dr. Felix Abali the Commissioner/CEO Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB.

Arik Air launches frequent flier programme …Commences Lagos via Abuja Dubai July 28

Group Chief Executive Officer, (GCEO), Arik Air, Dr. Michael Arumemi (middle) flanked by Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue (left) and Deputy Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi during the launching of the Airlines Frequent-flyer Programme-ARIK AFFINITY WINGS at the airline’s corporate office, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Arik Air, the largest airline in West Africa has announced the launch of its  brand new frequent flier programme called ARIK AFFINITY WINGS to further enhance its relationship with customers. The Group Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Dr.  Michael Arumemi-Ikhide disclosed this at the airline’s corporate office that customer has a lot to benefit from this programme.  According to him, ‘ARIK AFFINITY WINGS is packed full of benefits designed to reward guests for their loyalty by giving them the opportunity to earn miles on domestic, regional and long-haul flights’.

He further explained the modalities and how customers can join the programme which  will kick off   from first day in August  2014. ‘Customers can join the programme by logging on to AFFINITYWINGS.COM and completing an online enrolment form where they will receive 1000 bonus AFFINITY MILES along with a personal AFFINITY WINGS membership number. Once redeemed, miles can be used to fly to any destination on Arik Air’s roster, upgrade tickets and make payment for excess baggage. Furthermore, AFFINITY WINGS membership is free and members will automatically be entitled to exclusive benefits, such as extra baggage allowance, access to Arik Air’s Business Lounges and priority check-in at the airport.’

‘Members on AFFINITY WINGS will begin at AFFINITY WINGS PEARL membership level, automatically moving to BRONZE, SILVER and GOLD as they clock up AFFINITY points and enjoy increasing benefits’-He concluded.

 

ARIK AFFINITY WINGS

Also, The Group Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Dr.  Michael Arumemi-Ikhide conffirms that it is no longer a dream that airline is expanding  its operations to the Middle East. The airline will be the first Nigerian airline to offer a commercial service between Abuja, Nigeria and Dubai, The United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first commercial flight on the new route is currently slated for Monday, 28th July and will subsequently operate five weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nigeria and return on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from Dubai.

Outbound flights will depart from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7.05 p.m. arriving at Nnamdi  Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja at 8:20 p.m. . The flight will then continue on to Dubai, departing Nnamdi  Azikiwe International Airport ,  Abuja at 9.50p.m. finally arriving at Dubai International Airport ,Dubai Terminal 1 at 7.20 a.m.

The inbound flight will depart Dubai at 10:30 a.m. and arrives in Abuja at 1430 (local time). The flight continues on to Lagos, leaving Abuja at 1600 (local time) and arriving in Lagos at 1715 (local time).

Current planning has the Lagos-Dubai route operated by an Airbus A330-200.

Arik Air commences Dubai route via Abuja

 

Arik Air aircraft

Arik Air is expanding its reach to the Middle East, becoming the first Nigerian airline to offer a commercial service between Abuja, Nigeria and Dubai, The United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first commercial flight on the new route is currently slated for Monday, 28th July and will subsequently operate five weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nigeria and return on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from Dubai.

Outbound flights will depart from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), Lagos at 1905 (local time) arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), Abuja at 2020 (local time). The flight will then continue on to Dubai, departing Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), Abuja at 2150 (local time) finally arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai Terminal 1 at 0720 (local time).

The inbound flight will depart Dubai at 1030 (local time) and arrives in Abuja at 1430 (local time). The flight continues on to Lagos, leaving Abuja at 1600 (local time) and arriving in Lagos at 1715 (local time).

Current planning has the Lagos-Dubai route operated by an Airbus A330-200. Fitted to offer the very best in-flight comfort and style, the A330 is an environmentally-friendly product that provides the highest degree of operational flexibility and passenger comfort. The A330 will offer a two class configuration with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats.

The Premier Business Class product has been carefully tailored to meet the discerning business traveler’s needs. Customers travelling in Premier Business Class, will be treated to an outstanding service, the finest cuisine and wines, turndown service with duvets, pyjamas, slippers, and luxury amenity kits.

Passengers will have individual secluded booth areas that contain flat beds featuring an in-built massage system complete with a hand held 3.5” inch LCD screen unit controlling seat and lighting functions

Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Arik Air’s Global Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“This is another exciting moment for us all at Arik Air, not only launching a new international destination, but becoming the first airline to link the capital Abuja to Dubai. The importance of Dubai as the Middle East’s commercial capital makes it imperative for Arik Air to connect the city with Lagos which is a Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“As the number one airline in West Africa we have an obligation to ensure we constantly strive to enhance the service we offer travelers who fly with us. Guests on the new route can, as usual, be assured of Arik Air’s highest safety and service standards.”