Arik Air spreads wings, begins operations to Abidjan

Major domestic carrier, Arik Air, has extended its operations to Ivory Coast and would, from February 16, 2015, commence scheduled flight operations from Lagos, Nigeria, to the Ivoirien city, Abidjan via Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The new service, according to the airline,  would operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On Mondays, the outbound flight would depart the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport, Lagos at 2:45 pm (local time) and arrive at Cotonou International Airport at 3:15 pm (local time). The flight then leaves Cotonou at 4:00 pm (local time) and arrives at Felix HouphouetBoigny International Airport, Abidjan at 4:20 pm (local time).

The inbound flight departs Abidjan at 5:05 pm (local time) and arrives in Cotonou at 7:25 pm (local time). The flight thereafter leaves Cotonou at 8:10 pm (local time) and arrives in Lagos at 8:40 pm (local time).

On other days (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays), the outbound flight departs Lagos at 11:15 am (local time) and arrives in Cotonou at 11:45 am (local time). It will then leave Cotonou at 12:30 pm (local time) to arrive in Abidjan at 12:50 pm (local time). Inbound flight departs Abidjan at 1:35 pm (local time) and arrives in Cotonou at 3:55 pm (local time). The flight departs Cotonou at 4:40 pm (local time) to arrive in Lagos at 5:10 pm (local time).

The new Lagos-Abidjan service would be operated using Arik Air’s state-of-the-art Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft configured to carry 10 Business Class and 64 Economy class passengers.

Arik Air’s Managing Director/Executive Vice President, Chris Ndulue elaborated on the new service, “Abidjan is a preferred destination for Nigerian businessmen and women. Arik Air’s foray into this commercial city will make life a lot easier for our guests who have been yearning for flight connection between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. This service will further underline Arik Air’s position as West Africa’s premier airline.”

The Lagos-Abidjan service is Arik Air’s first new route in 2015. Abidjan thus becomes Arik Air’s 7th destination in West Africa.