Mon, Oct 10, 2011
Becomes The First Airline In Africa To Order Boeing's Newest
And Largest Airplane
Nigeria's Arik Air announced a deal for two Boeing 747-8
Intercontinental airplanes Thursday. The order is valued at $635
million at list prices and was previously attributed to an
unidentified customer on Boeing's website. The order was announced
during a signing ceremony at the Corporate Council for Africa's 8th
Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
"Air travel within the region continues to grow at a rapid pace
and we must prepare our fleet to accommodate that growth," said Sir
JIA Arumemi-Johnson, owner and chairman of Arik Air. "Boeing's new
747-8 fits perfectly into our long-term planning. It brings the
best operating economics for its size, which is important with the
increase in fuel prices."
Arik Air is Nigeria's fastest-growing privately owned airline
operating a large fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737s and serves
more than 22 domestic, six regional and three long-haul routes. The
airline plans to use the 747-8 on its key long-haul routes.
"Arik Air is growing to become a leader in aviation in Africa
and Boeing is happy Arik will use the 747-8 as a cornerstone of
their future growth," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales
for Africa, Latin America, and Caribbean, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "With its unmatched operating costs and economics, the
747-8 is the right airplane to help Arik Air meet growing
demand."
The new 747-8 Intercontinental features a new wing design and an
upgraded flight deck. Using General Electric's GEnx-2B engines, the
airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve
better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases
cargo volume by 26 percent.
"As we look into the future, the 747-8 Intercontinental is a
must have for Arik Air," said Sir Arumemi-Johnson. "Our airline
strives to bring the best, most efficient and most modern products
to our customers and that is exactly what this airplane is."
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