Arik Air, West Africa and Central Africa’s leading airline, celebrated the fourth anniversary of the airlines popular non-stop New York, John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Lagos, Nigeria Murtala Muhammad airport flight.
The inaugural flight from JFK to Murtala Muhammad airport took place on November 30th 2009. The launch of this route became a significant landmark in connecting the US to Africa, as Arik Air became the only African airline to fly direct from JFK to West Africa. In addition, Arik Air also became the only West African airline with USA/Federal Aviation Administration accreditation allowing it to operate its own
flights directly into the US.
The airline celebrated its fourth anniversary by surprising four passengers at JFK with upgrades from economy class to their luxury Premier Class. Arik Air’s Premier Class is well know for featuring the Kira Lounge, seat’s that convert to fully flat beds, 17 inch television screens with both Hollywood and Nollywood films, and a world class menu of international cuisine including local West African delicacies,and African wine.
‘Our unique competitive position as the only airline to fly direct from JFK to West Africa has proved very popular with customers since we launched in 2009. Our fourth anniversary is a chance for us to let our passengers know how much we appreciate their continued support and loyalty’ said Robert Brunner, Vice President America’s, Arik Air. ‘We have continued to improve our service offerings since launch with safety, security, and customer care as our priorities. We remain dedicated to this, and look forward to continuing to provide world-class service to each and every one of our guests’.
Globally Arik Air began operations domestically in Nigeria in 2006, and rapidly increased domestic, West and Central African routes to become the largest and fastest growing airline in the region. The airline compliments this offering with international long haul routes that include bilateral air services agreement (BASA) long haul routes London Heathrow (UK), Johannesburg OR Tambo, South Africa in addition to
the New York JFK route.
The airline celebrated its 10 millionth passenger in 2012, and in the last year Arik Air has introduced a new online check-in service to further boost its passenger experience; launched Mobile Website, redesigned its corporate website, redesigned the Internet Bookin Engine, created a mobile Arik Air application, launched through-fares directly from JFK Airport to many countries in West and Central Africa, satisfying the growing demand from passengers and travel agents, and the airline has expanded its international fleet with the acquisition of the new A330-200 twin-engine aircraft servicing long haul routes.
Arik Air continues to win international awards around the globe. Last month, the airline was presented with an award for the Development of Responsible Tourism within Africa by the African Travel Association (ATA), the leading organization for African Travel and Tourism. In November the airline was honored to receive the award for Best Security and Safety Conscious Airline in West and Central Africa. This marked the third consecutive year Arik Air has won the prestigious award instituted in 2003 by Africa’s foremost security and safety news magazine, Security Watch Africa.
