Gozzylous Blog

One of the most respected voices in the Nigerian aviation industry and the President of Aviation Round Table, ART; Capt. Dele Ore has warned the management of Arik Air to beware of the antics of operators on the United Arab Emirate, UAE, route Dubai. Ore in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos described airlines flying the route as ‘predators’ that would do everything possible to frustrate the airline out of the route. At the moment, Emirates and Etihad Airways fly directly from their bases in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Emirates enjoys about 21 frequencies into multiple entry points into Nigeria, while Etihad flies twice daily into the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. In all, the two airlines enjoy about 34 frequencies weekly into Nigeria. Apart from the duo, several other international airlines fly into the route from Nigeria after a stop over in the home countries. Airlines like Qatar, Egypt Air, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Asky among o

Indigenous carrier, Arik Air, is to commence flight operations into Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its international route expansion programme. The announcement, which was made by Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Arumemi Ikhide, was indeed welcome news to numerous Nigerian travellers who ply the lucrative Lagos-Dubai route dominated over the years by Arab airlines. Aviation industry analysts had faulted the monopoly of that route by Mid-Easst airlines while welcome the entry of an indigenous carrier to ply the route to increase the options available to Nigerian travelers. Ikhide had told journalists that services would commence July this year from the Murtala International Airport in Lagos with a stopover at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport where other passengers would be picked up for the final journey to Dubai, UAE. He said the launch of flights by Arik Air into Dubai would make it the first Nigerian carrier to offer services between Abuja and the UAE. “Dubai