Air Nigeria to commence flights to London on May 16 and Johannesburg on May 17

Air Nigeria will on May 16 commence scheduled direct flights from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick with affordable fares for a return economy ticket, while, it will also on May 17, commence flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, using a modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes. 

The development is coming just as Air Nigeria is currently implementing a growth phase strategy initiated by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR) who acquired the airline two years ago. The recommencement of the long-haul flights mark a historic moment for Nigerian aviation and in the West African sub-region as passengers now have a wider array of choice and more than ever before, can conveniently connect onwards to London and Johannesburg and points beyond. 

Commenting on the commencement of both services, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye, Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria said: “After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market”. 

He further noted that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria’s commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that will meet the aspirations of the travelling publics. Passengers will have distinctive onboard experience on the flights as indigenous meals and variety of movies will be offered as the airline is committed to delivering quality services at an affordable price. 

Mr. Kahssaye also announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun as Executive Director, International Operation. Mr. Aisuebeogun, an ACI/ICAO International Airport Professional (IAP) brings a wealth of excellent leadership qualities and competence to drive the international arm of the airline in line with the overall business objectives. 

Air Nigeria's flights to London will be operated from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport to the South Terminal of London Gatwick Airport where passengers will have the ease of connectivity across Europe as well as onwards to North America while London bound passengers will have excellent links to London, the North of England, and the South coast. 

At the inauguration of the international flight operations on May 16 and 17, Air Nigeria will operate three flights weekly to both London and Johannesburg, and by June 16, 2012, increase the frequency on the Lagos-London Gatwick route to daily flights. 

The long-haul services will be operated with the recently acquired modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two class configuration of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art iPADS for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airline to offer such a product to passengers. 
Air Nigéria