New York, NY, Feb. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arik Air, West and Central Africa's largest carrier has announced steady growth in the number of passengers the airline has carried between 2012 and 2013. The year end figures released by Arik Air, highlights a total of 2,745,400 passengers carried in 2013. This figure represents 18.6 per cent increase over the 2012 passenger figure of 2,315,247.
The month of March 2013 was significant as Arik Air recorded the highest passenger figure for the year with a total of 260,132 passengers carried across its wide network of 30 destinations. This was against the 171,794 passengers carried in the same month in 2012. A significant increase was also recorded in the month of April 2013 when a total of 249,854 passengers were carried. This represents about 33.7 percent increase over the 2012 figure.
Since launching on October 30 th , 2006 Arik Air has flown 13,471,414 passengers. The airlines Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue has attributed the steady growth to the airline's continued adherence to safety standards, unequaled extensive domestic coverage and good service delivery.
"The figures for the period just ended are very encouraging and reflect the steady growth that we have been experiencing since launching our operations on October 30, 2006. We have gone through a rapid expansion over the years and the last two years have been used to consolidate new markets. We are the success story of Nigerian commercial aviation" said Chris Ndule, Managing Director, Arik Air.
In another benchmark of continued growth, Arik Air has extended two of its existing routes as the airline continues its expansion program for regional West African services. Beginning March 10 th , 2014 Arik Air will add Cotonou, Benin to its daily route network by operating the Lagos, Nigeria -Dakar, Senegal flight via Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin Republic. During the same time, the airline will extend its daily Abuja, Nigeria - Accra, Ghana service to Dakar.
As a result of these developments, Arik Air will be the only carrier offering daily non-stop service to Dakar from Accra, and Cotonou and Dakar from Lagos. These developments cater to the growing demand and needs of both the business and leisure passenger market segments.
"We are very proud to announce that Arik Air has again shown steady growth, and passengers continue to be delighted with our service and their experience when flying with us. The West and Central African markets are experiencing increased growth, and as the only airline to fly directly from JFK, New York non-stop to Lagos, we are the first choice for many passengers wishing to connect seamlessly with West Africa " said
Robert Brunner, VP America's Arik Air.
During 2014, the airline plans to increase its domestic market share in Nigeria. Arik Air has also acquired three new aircrafts enabling the airline to expand launching new routes to Abidjan, Ivory Coast and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
For more information and online check in service visit www.arikair.com
About Arik Air
Arik Air is West and Central Africa's largest airline, and operates mainly from two hubs at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. It operates a fleet of 23 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircrafts including two Airbus A340-500 making the airline the first operator of this particular type of wide-bodied aircraft in Africa. The airline currently serves 20 destinations in Nigeria and flies to 11 international destinations including London Heathrow (UK) and New York JFK (USA). The airline operates a combined number of over 120 daily flights from its hubs, and has been Africa's fastest growing airline for the last two years. Website: www.arikair.com ;
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