The Arik Airline, on Saturday inaugurated its new next generation Bombardier CRJ 1000 aircraft, to mark its seventh 7th year anniversary.
Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, who disclosed this to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said that the airline would be increasing its passengers’ activity in 2014, saying that the airline would not focus much on competition, but rather on its passengers.
“We will increase passengers activities and look into the American market. Passengers will dictate their choice. We observe that access to airlines in the country is less than 10 per cent. After years of under-investment, the Nigerian aviation sector had been robbed of its vital assets and infrastructure.
“Consumer confidence is also at an all-time low.This state of destitution was nowhere better demonstrated than in the collapse and liquidation of the national carrier by the turn of the century,” he said.
Arumemi-Ikhide noted that Arik’s young fleet of aircraft would aid its drive towards international standard, minimise maintenance costs, secure greater reliability and significantly augment market confidence.
He said that Arik management would be revolutionising the air travel industry in the country and keep to safety standards.
Arumemi-Ikhide said that the new bombardier CRJ 1000 aircraft just acquired by the airline would be used for regional operations.
The CEO, however, thanked the public for their support over the years, urging the government to continue the development of the aviation sector.