Arik Air Plans Direct Flights Between Nigeria and Brazil

Nineteen years after the Brazilian carrier Varig Air stopped direct flights to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the only Nigeria carrier designated on the route, Arik Air, is seeking traffic rights and slot allocation from the Brazilian authorities to commence flights into the São Paulo airport, Arik said in a statement. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to Brazil, Mr. Vincent A. Okoedion, who welcomed a delegation of Arik Air officials in Brasilia, said, “Brazil is the hub of the economies of South America, just as Nigeria is the hub of the economies of West and Central Africa. Both countries have always had that desire to see the two economies of West Africa and South America linked by direct flights.” “Today, Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world and Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in Africa and the two countries are able to draw all the economies in their respective regions. So, once you have direct flight, this flight is not only connecting the two countries but the two regions, that is in Nigeria, the whole of West Africa and in Brazil, the whole of South America.” “You can imagine the size of these two regions, that is, the size of their economies, and the way it will boost trade. In fact, it will boost the business of the airline that is able to establish this connection.” Deputy Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi said that “this is coming at the request for traffic rights and slot allocation into the São Paulo Airport is a follow up to the meeting between President Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his Brazillian counterpart for the restoration of air link between the two countries to boost trade relations and cultural ties.” He continued, “The restoration of direct air link between the two countries as regional leaders in Africa and South America will boost economic relationship, which will be accelerated with direct flights into major cities including Lagos and São Paulo.” “The airline has been strategising for many years on how to add Brazil to its route network to connect the West and Central Coast of Africa into the hub of South America with direct flights between the two countries.” “Arik Air is working round the clock to ensure that within three months all arrangements are concluded for the commencement of flight into Brazil even as the airline will take delivery of more wide body aircraft to boost its long haul and international destinations. The carrier considers Brazil an important route for its operations, because it would eliminate the difficulties passengers go through in connecting flights into South America, from either Europe or the Middle East.” “Apart from saving passengers travel time, the restoration of direct air link between Nigeria and Brazil will 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 would be 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 it intends to fly into.” He expressed the readiness of Arik Air to cooperate with the Brazilian authorities in getting approval for the commencement of flights before the commencement of the Nigerian/Brazilian Bi-National Commission conference scheduled for August 2013.