Arik Air, West and Central Africa's Largest Airlin

New York, NY, July 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arik Air, West Africa and Central Africa's leading airline, has expanded its international fleet with the acquisition of the newA330-200 twin-engine aircraft. The new aircraft will service the airlines bilateral air services agreement (BASA) long haul routes, which includes London Heathrow, New York John F Kennedy and Johannesburg Oliver Tambo Airports.

The introduction of the Airbus A330-200 widebody aircraft to the Arik Air fleet, is the first of its kind to be added to the airline, and will increase the current fleet to 24 aircrafts, with a further 24 aircrafts on order.

"We continue to rise as the airline of choice for passengers traveling to West Africa from New York, and we are dedicated to the delivery of premium customer service and efficiency to our passengers. The expansion of our fleet with the acquisition of a new A330-200 twin engine aircraft, will enable us to provide our passengers with an even more robust service offering, and continue to retain our competitive edge", said Robert Brunner, VP, America's Arik Air.

Since launching in the US in 2009, Arik Air has enjoyed a rapid rise to success with travelers from the
tri-state area, and among members of the large African diaspora communities across the US. The airline remains dedicated to partnering and serving the US community by way of sponsorships and partnerships with a variety of organizations and events. These collaborations range from partnerships with professional and educational programs, beauty pageants, universities and concerts.

Arik Air recently was a sponsor of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards held in Los Angeles. The airline worked closely with BET International to fly many of the international nominees from West Africa to the US. One of the nominees, the Nigerian artist Ice Prince, won the Best International Artist Award, and Arik Air is the official airline sponsor of the current Ice Prince 2013 US tour.

"As an airline we enjoy partnering directly with events and organizations that allow our customers to have direct contact with our brand and brand ambassadors. It is important to us that our customers know we are dedicated to them, and this includes facilitating and supporting them in many aspects of their lives", said Robert Brunner, VP, America's Arik Air.

In the upcoming months, Arik Air is involved in a number of collaboration with community organizations and events. Arik Air is the official airline sponsor of the upcoming US tour for Nigerian artist P Square. In addition the airline is partnering with the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) held in New York, the Nigerian Independence Day Parade held in New York, and the ACANA Africa Festival held in Philadelphia.

Arik Air was recently honored as Ambassadors of Good Will by the Governor of Arkansas, who appointed both the airlines Chairman, Sir Joseph Akinola Arumemi-Ikhide and Vice President America's, Robert Brunner official "Arkansas Travelers". Arkansas Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, also awarded them both with a key to the city of Little Rock.

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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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About C.Moore Media
C. Moore Media (CMM) is a boutique international public relations and communications consultancy specializing in corporate communications, media relations, strategy, and branding in the US general, multicultural and African Diaspora markets. CMM also specializes in raising the international awareness and visibility of organizations and initiatives in emerging markets (Africa). The company is headquartered in New York, and founder Claudine Moore has received many business awards including: The Network Journals '40 under Forty' US Achievement Award (2011), and honored on the prestigious UK PowerList: Britain's Top 100 Most Influential Black People (2010)
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