Arik Air launches direct flights to Dubai

Arik Air, a major airline in Nigeria, has launched flights to Dubai. The carrier which launched Lagos-Abuja-Dubai service said it will operate services to Dubai five times a week.

The inaugural flights on this route recorded huge passenger turnout that indicates the airline has been received by travellers. There were 167 passengers in its first flight in the aircraft (Airbus A330-200) which has capacity to carry 230 passengers.

This is a good sign for the airline which had only eight passengers in its maiden flight to London in 2008, the route that has become the most successful international route for the carrier today.

Many Nigerians travel to Dubai for business or to connect to other destinations. The competition on this route is high as some leading Gulf carriers are also operate this route.

This is the airline’s fourth international route; the carrier is already operating flights to London (LHR), Johannesburg (JNB) and New York (JFK).