Arik Air to Connects Lagos-Sao Paulo

Arik Air is to commence flight operations to São Paulo,Brazil, and this is coming 19 years after direct flights to Lagos was stopped following the withdrawal of service by Varig Air due to what it claimed was the un-viability of the route.

Management of the airline has also  applied for traffic rights from Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency in preparation for the commencement of service between Lagos and São Paulo.

According to Captain Ado Sanusi, deputy managing director of Arik Air, the request for traffic rights into the São Paulo Airport was a follow up to the meeting between the President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his Brazilian counterpart, President Dilma Rousseff for the restoration of air link between the two countries to boost trade relations and cultural ties. The two presidents met in Nigeria in February this year.

Captain Sanusi said the restoration of direct air link between the two countries as regional leaders in Africa and South America would boost economic relationship.

He assured that Arik Air would comply with all regulatory requirements requested by the Brazilian authorities and that the airline has been strategising for many years on how to add Brazil to its route network to connect the West and Central Africa countries into the hub of South America.

Sanusi explained that Arik Air was working round the clock to ensure that within three months all arrangements were concluded for the commencement of flight into Brazil.

Captain Sanusi disclosed that the airline would soon take delivery of more wide body aircraft to boost its international destinations.

The Deputy Director explained that apart from saving passengers travel time, the restoration of direct air link between Nigeria and Brazil would create a robust window for investment opportunities between the two countries for players in the private sector who are seeking closer ties between Africa and South America.

Sanusi said, Arik Air was willing to collaborate with Brazilian carriers to facilitate connection of flights into other airports in South America other than São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro airports.

He explained that the commencement of direct flights by Arik  Air would provide a robust window for the two government to explore how to optimise relationships in areas not limited to the development of agriculture, aviation, power, education and cultural  sectors .

The Arik Air team which included Lanre Bamgbose, its Vice President, also visited officials of the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency, the Air Transport Ministry as well as the Brazilians National Development Bank (BNDS), where they explored opportunities of securing multilateral funding for aircraft acquisition.