Arik Air to leverage on demise of United Airlines for expansion

Arik Air, the largest domestic carrier in the country is set to leverage on the demise of  United Airlines for expansion as it reveals plan to start a daily operations to New York.

“We have been going to New York since 2009. When United Airline started, we were still going and if they want to stop, we will still be going.  We have plans to increase our New York flights to a daily operation and that plan is still on course,” Chris Ndulue, Managing Director, Arik Air told BusinessDay.

Barely few weeks after the Spanish Airline; Iberia stopped flying into Nigeria, United States carrier; United Airlines will also stop operations into Nigeria at the end of June.

The decision by United Airlines to stop flying into Nigeria, its only route to Africa like its Spanish counterpart is due to the airline’s inability to repatriate to its home country monies from tickets sold in the country.

According to United Airline spokesman, Jonathan Guerin, “Repatriation has been a significant issue, as has been the downturn in the energy sector.”

Arik Air’s managing director said its plans to increase flights to US will be done before the end of this year.

“Our new plan will give passengers a lot of flexibility and the comfort that we fly every day. We believe that this will increase the number of passengers flying on Arik to New York. We also intend to go into interline arrangement with one of the American carriers and we intend to conclude that, in order to strengthen our operations in the US and beyond,” Ndulue added.

He explained that half of the passengers are going out of New York and it will be beneficial to a lot of the passengers if Arik start the interline arrangement, as it will increase the passenger numbers significantly.

“I often patronize United Airline when I go to the United States to buy my goods. The airline has been prompt and effective. I was surprised to hear that they are pulling out in Nigeria in June,” Josephine Umor a frequent passenger with United Airline told BusinessDay.

“I learnt the only airlines that now have direct flight to the United States are Arik airline and Delta airline. For me, I think I will have to travel with Arik since Delta airline now collect dollars, while Arik still collects naira, which is easier for us who stay in Nigeria to pay,” Umor added.

Ifeoma Okeke