Lagos — Arik Air said yesterday it had concluded plans to commence direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow with effect from next Thursday.

This comes as the airline had earlier finalised plans to fly direct into New York, USA from November 29, 2009.

Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Jason Holt, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the airline had always looked forward to fly from Abuja to London because of the historical ties between Nigeria and Britain.

Holt said: "Arik Air is extremely proud to connect Nigeria's federal capital directly with London. The introduction of direct flights between Abuja and Nigerian state capitals has been at the forefront of Arik Air's domestic expansion strategy.

"London has always been of great importance for Nigerians and the airline first launched non-stop flights between Lagos and London Heathrow on December 15, 2008.

"Therefore, it is strategically important and also appropriate that Arik Air's first international service from Abuja should be London," he said.