Arik Air Partners Cranfield University on Manpower Development

Arik Air, has partnered with Cranfield University, United Kingdom to deliver on human capital development in the airline.

The partnership will also include exchange programmes between Arik Air and Cranfield University, according to the Public Relations & Communications Manager of the airline, Mr Adebanji Ola.

Dr. John Frankie O'Connell, an expert in airline management at the Air Transport Department of Cranfield University on Monday began the conduct of a three-day 'kick-off' seminar for Arik Air management staff and would end on Wednesday, May 29.
The three-day seminar will cover airline industrial trends, commercial and airline strategy, among others.

O'Connell is expected to dwell on general trends of the aviation industry, aero politics and new regulatory trends facing the airline industry, airline traffic, demand, forecasts and aircraft orders as well as traffic measurements for full service airlines among other topics.

Mr. Chris Ndulue, Arik Air’s managing director/Executive Vice President, said of the partnership: "The airline industry is a dynamic one and at Arik Air we believe we have to be in tune with current trends in the sector. This is the essence of this partnership which will set Arik apart from other airlines. It is meant to address the dearth of qualified manpower in the Nigerian aviation sector, and to train world-class managers for the future of Arik Air and the aviation industry in Nigeria".

Arik currently operates a fleet of 23 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft including two Airbus A340-500 making the airline the first operator of the wide bodied aircraft in Africa.