16 June 2010

AIR NIGERIA TAKES DELIVERY OF FIRST AIRCRAFT IN NEW LIVERY

Lagos, Nigeria: 16 June 2010: Air Nigeria has taken delivery of its first aircraft branded in the airline’s new livery. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-300 registration 5N-VND, arrived to the country from Shannon, Ireland where the aircraft was painted in the new livery as well as undergoing replacement of both engines.

While unveiling the aircraft in Lagos, Chairman, Air Nigeria, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim said that the arrival of the aircraft marks a major milestone in the ongoing turn-around and re-engineering process of the airline which will position the airline as the pride of the Nation. “The arrival of the aircraft will boost the current operations as well as help to stabilize flight operations as the airline gradually increases its fleet to match up an aggressive route network roll-out”, Barrister Ibrahim said.

“The arrival of the aircraft will boost the current operations as well as help to stabilize flight operations as the airline gradually increases its fleet to match up an aggressive route network roll-out”, Barrister Ibrahim said.

He noted further that the aircraft was prior to the airline takeover by the NICON Group, grounded for about three months due to lack of replacement engines.

Whilst speaking in the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye noted that the Airline is committed to maintaining world class aviation practices as well as passenger safety and comfort always. He maintained that the vision of the new Board of the airline to increase the fleet size to a minimum of 10 aircraft by October is on course.

It will be recalled that Barrister Ibrahim Jimoh has injected fresh working capital into the Air Nigeria as well as undertaken a diagnostic review to revamp the airline to the path of profitability.