AVIAREPS has been commissioned by Nigeria’s largest commercial airline, Arik Air, as its external representation company in the United States of America and Canada. Both companies have signed a GSA agreement for the North American markets with AVIAREPS, the world’s leading international representation company, handling all future sales, trade marketing and ticketing activities on behalf of Arik Air. All operations will be performed by the AVIAREPS team in New York, headed by Eric Pechstein, General Manager of North America.

With this sales agreement, Arik Air continues its rapid expansion by embarking on its third long-haul international route from its hub in Lagos. In the space of 12 months, Arik has launched flights to London (15 December 2008) and Johannesburg (1 June 2009). On 30 November 2009, Arik will launch its first service from the United States to Nigeria, with three-weekly services scheduled from New York City (JFK) to Lagos on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, departing JFK T4 at 2200 and arriving in Lagos at 1440. Returning flights depart from Lagos on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2320 and arrive at JFK at 0550.

All flights will be serviced by a new Airbus A340-500 aircraft. This aircraft offers the highest degree of operational flexibility and passenger comfort. Premier Class guests will experience a truly world class service complete  with 180° flat beds with integrated 17inch touch screen TV and a new generation of inbuilt massage systems. A communal area with bar lounge, sofas and a seat-free space will offer an exclusive area for relaxation and conversation with fellow Premier Class guests.  Arik Air’s A340-500 aircraft is to be operated by Hi Fly Transportes Aeros S.A. on the Lagos-New York-Lagos route.

Arik Air currently offers connections to 18 points within Nigeria as well as Accra (Ghana), Cotonou (Benin), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Banjul (The Gambia), Dakar (Senegal) and Johannesburg (South Africa) on the continent. The privately owned airline was officially incepted in 2006 as a domestic airline aiming to transform the Nigerian aviation sector by bringing brand new planes and an unrivalled in-flight service to the people of the country and beyond.

Arik Air’s first long-haul international flight was launched in December 2008, flying daily from Lagos to London, Heathrow with Johannesburg following six months later in June 2009, providing a daily nonstop service. Arik Air has secured the rights to fly to other international destinations including Houston, Paris, Beijing and Dubai as well as planning to open new routes throughout the African continent to countries stretching from Egypt, Kenya and Angola.

To serve requirements of different markets, Arik Air holds available fly equipment from up to five different aircraft manufactures. The current fleet consists of 29 modern aircraft including 2 new Airbus A340-540, 13 Boeing, 9 Bombardier, 3 Fokker SO and 2 Hawker HS 125-800XP. Arik Air has committed to over 6 billion US $ in new aircraft orders to be delivered in the future to meet current expansion plans.

The Nigerian airline is committed to maintaining a safe working and flying environment and to conduct all operations strictly within the requirements of laws regarding safety. To this end, it has Lufthansa Technik as its aircraft maintenance partner in Lagos and Iberia in New York. Arik Air has implemented a safety programme to minimize the possibility of accidents, with this program having been developed and provided by the Nigerian Corporate Safety and Security Department.