23 November 2009

New Africa link from Heathrow

Flights between Heathrow and Abuja are being introduced from next week.

Nigerian carrier Arik Air is to run five flights a week from November 26.

The airline is to deploy a Boeing 737-800 on the route with 20 business class seats and 126 in economy.

The new route follows the launch of a Lagos service almost a year ago.

Flights will depart on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from Terminal 4 at 21.50 local time, arriving Abuja at 05.20 local time, the following morning.

Return flights will leave Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.30 local time, arriving in London at 16.05.

The route will be serviced by a brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, ideally suited for flying medium haul routes and making short turnarounds at airports, allowing Arik Air to continue to provide a convenient and punctual service.

The airline’s CEO Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide said: "For nearly a year now, we have been operating daily flights from London Heathrow to Lagos, providing passengers with a world class service that was previously not available.

"We know from the feedback we receive that the London to Abuja route is similarly underserviced and are delighted to be launching a regular service in preparation for the busy holiday period.

"Arik Air’s extensive domestic network from Abuja means that we can now can offer passengers travelling to and from cities in Nigeria’s northern regions a convenient London connection that no other airline can match.

In addition, this new Heathrow-Abuja service will enable Nigerian government officials to choose a Nigerian airline to London for the first time."

by Phil Davies