18 June 2010

AIR NIGERIA SET TO RE-LAUNCH FLIGHT OPERATIONS TO BENIN CITY AND OWERRI IN JULY …set to increase fleet size to 10 aircraft

Lagos, Nigeria: 18 June 2010: Coming on the heels of the recent acquisition and injection of fresh funds into the newly re-branded Air Nigeria Development Limited, formerly Virgin Nigeria Airways by its core investor, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, Air Nigeria is set to re-commence flight operations to the ancient city of Benin and Owerri in July, in line with the new vision of the airline to connect every major city on its route network

Air Nigeria is scheduled to operate daily flights to Benin City and Owerri and will also be launching introductory attractive fares discounted with as much as 50 per cent.

Announcing the scheduled recommencement of flight operations to both Benin City and Owerri, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kinfe Kahassaye, noted that the objective of the new board of the airline is to fully integrate most major cities in Nigeria into its route network especially now that the airline has the capacity to boost seamless travel of passengers across major cities in the country.

“With the recommencement of our flight operations into Benin City and Owerri, passengers in both cities and neighboring towns will have access to Air Nigeria’s onward connections to other domestic routes as well as its established regional route network”, Mr. Kahssaye said.

While noting that Air Nigeria is set to double its fleet size by acquiring five additional aircraft, Mr. Kahssaye said that the entire operations of the airline is currently undergoing a thorough re-engineering and review process which will ultimately guide the airline in introducing next generation fleet of aircraft.

Chairman of Air Nigeria Development Limited, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim while unveiling the new brand name of the airline at a recent briefing, had noted that the company will be turned around in the shortest possible time even as its identity reflects the rich cultural heritage and integrity of Nigeria.


While guaranteeing that the airline is built on the principle of loyalty and customers’ confidence, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim noted that Air Nigeria had placed firm orders for five additional aircraft to join the fleet and by October 2010, the airline will boast of a minimum of 10 aircraft in its fleet.

Also, Air Nigeria has taken delivery of the first branded aircraft bearing the new airline’s livery and logo while other aircraft in the fleet are scheduled to be branded in the days ahead.