Airbus, the global airline manufacturing giant, has scored another success in Africa. It has signed a “firm contract” with Arik Air, a growing private airline based in Lagos, Nigeria, for three A340-500s airliners.
The order makes Arik Air the 10th and latest customer for the A340-500.
Arik Air chairman Joseph Arumemi-Johnson says the acquisition is an important step in the airline`s growth strategy to develop Lagos and Abuja as hubs.
He says the aircraft will be used on new routes to London, New York and Houston and will be delivered by the end of next month (November).
“This aircraft order will enable Arik Air to start international connections with new and modern aircraft that will support our objective to become one of Africa`s key airlines…,” says Arumemi-Johnson.
“This aircraft order will enable Arik Air to start international connections with new and modern aircraft that will support our objective to become one of Africa`s key airlines…,” says Arumemi-Johnson.
The wikipedia describes the Airbus A340 as a long-range four-engined wide-body commercial passenger that can seat between 261 and 380 passengers and has a range between 6700 and 9000 nautical miles.
The A340 was launched in 1987 and the A340-500 in 2002.
About 100 Airbus airliners of all types are currently serving with African airlines, including SAA and many more are flying over the continent. More than 5100 of the aircraft are in operation worldwide.
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