Arik Air has revealed that it has carried a total of over 15 million passengers since it started operations in Oct. 30, 2006.

Mr Chris Ndulue, Managing Director of the airline disclosed this to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at the airline’s 8th year anniversary.

Ndulue said that the airline would soon begin flight operations to Abidjan, Lome, Libreville as it would also add two Bombardier Q400NG aircraft to its fleet.

He added that the two new Bombardier aircraft would arrive in the next couple of days. He noted that the airline has been able to face the challenges in the aviation industry, particularly in the area of high rate charges by various agencies in the industry.

According to him, the airline has leverage with the agencies to settle all controversies on the issue of charges between it and the agencies.

“We are about to overcome all the controversies we have with the various aviation agencies in the area of paying charges. Every business has it various challenges, but if you allowed the challenges to overwhelm you, then you will be a failure.

“We have never being overwhelmed by the challenges in the industry. We will make sure we serve the public adequately,” he said.

The Managing Director noted that the airline now operates into 19 domestic and 12 regional destinations.