We remain strong on Lagos-Accra, Abuja- Accra routes – Arik Air

BIODUN AKOMOLAFE

To set the records of its operations on Nigeria and Ghana routes straight, the management of Arik Air has refuted the claims that it has suspended operations to Accra, Ghana.

The rebuttal was made by the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Suraj Sundaram who said the airline is still operating between the Lagos-Accra and Abuja-Accra routes and is not contemplating suspension of flights as claimed by a section of the media.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Airline Ola Banji, Sundaram insisted that the airline has been consisted on the routes since it began its operations eight year ago, he added that the airline as the largest operator on the routes, has provided connecting air link not only between Nigeria and Ghana but to other West Coast countries of Africa.

“We have been consistent since commencing the Accra route in January 2008 and we remain the largest airline on that route offering the largest capacity and choice of flights not only connecting Nigeria to Ghana but also onwards from Ghana to other West African nations”, Sundaram said.

Arik Air started Accra operations with one daily fight and the airline has scaled this operation over the years into five flights out of Lagos and Abuja.

The statement added that Arik Air is the first African carrier to have truly established a ‘scissors hub’ at Accra airport, meaning that flights from Lagos and Abuja arrive into Accra within a few minutes of each other, and then depart onwards to other West African cities from Accra nonstop. This, it claimed enables passengers from North and South Nigeria to be connected to destinations like Banjul and Dakar conveniently via Accra in both directions.

It equally added that the is the largest international airline out of Ghana operating to six West African cities nonstop from Accra. These include Freetown (3 weekly), Banjul (4 weekly), Dakar (3 weekly), Monrovia (3 weekly), Lagos (4 times daily) and Abuja (daily).

“We will continue to invest in and further expand the Ghanaian market based on the strong support and patronage we have received from the people of Ghana over the past eight years”, the Chief Commercial Officer added.