Arik Air has commenced cargo operations across its extensive regional and domestic network, following Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s approval to include cargo on its Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC.

Arik Air is now set to strengthen its intercontinental cargo operations by adding Johannesburg, South Africa, to its scedules in London Heathrow and New York JFK. This, according to Arik Air, means that its customers now have an unprecedented freighting opportunities and possibilities.

Arik operates the wide body Airbus A330-200 on the Lagos-Johannesburg route, as the aircraft has a large cargo compartment.

Commenting on the latest development, Arik Air’s Senior Vice President Commercial, Mr. Kevin Steele, said the cargo operation was a response to persistent demand by passengers.

He said:   “The inauguration of cargo operations by Arik Air is in response to calls by our guests who have been clamoring for this specialised service.

“Arik Air has the widest domestic coverage in Nigeria; therefore we offer the greatest freight forwarding opportunities within our aviation market.

“Our West Coast traders will have their cargo shipping needs met with our flights in and out of Accra (Ghana), Cotonou (Benin), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Dakar (Senegal), Banjul (Gambia) and Monrovia (Liberia).”

The airline also noted that newspaper houses, courier companies, cargo agents and corporate bodies, with branches all over the nation, now have its wide route coverage to use and meet their logistics needs.