Low cost carrier to commence operations in Nigeria by July 2014

Plans are underway by consortium of
foreign investors in collaboration with
Nigerian business persons to start low
cost carrier in Nigeria by July, 2014.
Making this revelation yesterday in
Lagos, was the pioneer Managing
Director, Arik Air, Mr. Alex Van Elk
during an interaction with aviation
journalists.
Van Elk said that he was already
mobilising French investors for that
purpose and assured that on
commencement, the low cost carrier
would be profitable. Van Elk noted that
the new carrier would be a success in
the country as it would be devoid of
the mistakes associated with most
Nigerian airlines, which usually lead to
their early exit.
The Dutch born aviation professional
however declined to disclose the name
of the impending carrier, but insisted
that the new carrier would become
operational in the next 10 months in the
country.
He explained that the management of
the new airline had already made
contacts with the Nigerian authorities,
adding that the team had received
encouraging responses from the
Nigerian Government so far.
He said, “We have made contacts with
Nigerian authorities and they are quite
pleased with our plans and assured us
of government support”. He itemised
mistakes of past low cost carriers in
the country to include poor revenue
accounting, acquisition of aging aircraft,
lack of good reservation systems and
heavy cost of overheads as well as
ambitious route networks without
enough researches.
Van Elk emphasised that the emerging
low cost carrier would not venture into
unprofitable routes and would be run
professionally with the right calibre of
personnel. He also disclosed that the
airline was already making wide
consultations with mega carriers in
Europe, Asia and Africa for interlining
arrangements, stressing that the
responses had been very encouraging.
He further added that the promoters,
which were comprised of both Nigerian
and French investors, had already made
contacts with Airbus aircraft
manufacturer, a French company for
lease of brand new A319 jets for the
take off of the new airline.
He assured that the fare would be very
affordable, but noted that there would
be no in-flight refreshment. He said,
“We will only serve water on board for
an hour flight, but for those who will
want to have something extra they will
have to buy.”