That will be the lifeline for the international network. That's what sets up apart from our rivals." (Dunn, 2009)
Martin Russell states in the report entitled: "Arik Air: The Future of African Aviation" that both the "internal opinion of African air travel and that of onlookers overseas was bleak before the arrival of Nigeria's newest treasure, Arik Air." (2008) Russell states that the aviation industry is African is "hampered by somewhat less predictable weather and frequent storms" resulting in aviation in African being "far from predictable with temperamental skies that readily unleash the horrors of sheet lightening and torrential rains that would alarm even the most sophisticated of pilots. " (Russell, 2008) The report goes on to state:
"Just in time, as African aviation was almost going backwards in sophistication and progress, that exemplary airline did turn up. On Monday the 30th of October 2006, Arik Air launched commercial operations with their brand new fleet of gleaming Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft. Arik immediately addressed the issues that were relentlessly obstructing aviation's safety standards on the continent -- the effectiveness of maintenance and aircraft engineering -- and made them a priority, unlike practically all other African airlines (according to the wealth of AIPB reports published in the last few years). (Russell, 2008)
Russell (2008) reports that Arik Airlines struck a deal with Lufthansa, "one of the most prestigious European airlines, Lufthansa, that ensured a sound, experienced body of engineers would be handling Arik's gleaming fleet. A five-year deal was signed with Lufthansa Technik that promised "total technical support" covering two 737-300's, three CRJ-200's and three CRJ-900 aircraft. Lufthansa Technik has also indicated that it intends to continue the existing servicing plan beyond its original five-year commitment."
The growth of Arik Air is stated to have been "...accelerated after the demise and liquidation of Nigeria's previous national carrier, Nigerian Airways. Arik Air took hold of internal operations in Nigeria, and offered high quality, efficient service throughout the nation. On December 4th 2007, Arik Air was even invited to become the national carrier of the Republic of Niger, an offer that was accepted.
Russell (2008) reports that Arik Air's growth has been both "rapid and consistent" and that Arik Airlines has "...proved to be the antidote to the events on May 4th 2002, and although the airline is still very much in its infancy, there are no signs of things slowing down -- in fact they are moving at a startling pace, with recent developments suggesting they are in need of more aircraft to aid their swelling operations"
It is reported that Arik is a prized customer of Boeing and that a delegation, recently and led by the Chairman of Arik Airlines "...flew to Seattle for the purchase of two Boeing 777-200LR, three Boeing 777-300LR, seven Boeing 737-900, and five Boeing 737-800/900 aircraft. Additionally, Arik Air signed for the acquisition of three Boeing 747-800 planes. A significant step for both Arik Air and Boeing, Mr. Scott Carson, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, "The future is bright for aviation in Africa and Boeing is proud of its relationship with Arik." (Russell, 2008) Russell states that Arik Air has not only "...provided a high quality, safe and reliable series of far reaching operations across Africa, but it has also achieved great things on the ground for aviation. Arik Air is determined to reach as many destinations within Nigeria as they can, in order to ensure the steady socio-economic growth of Nigeria, and Arik also looks to build the biggest hangar in West Africa with the support of Boeing, Lufthansa Technik, and financial institutions affiliated with the airline, such as Zenith and Intercontinental Bank. These initiatives, combined with Arik's flight training school in Nigeria, have unending benefits for the progress of African aviation. Arik is also trying to upgrade the existing facilities (designed at for classic airliners), and make airports and the aviation infrastructure more hospitable to a new, safer, and more economical way of flying that Arik Air can most certainly pioneer." (Russell, 2008)
IV. Infrastructure and Associated Challenges Identified
There are presently 22 airports in Nigeria with paved runways and of these four are international airports. These airports are operated by the Federal Government through its regulatory body, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. There are infrastructure challenges to the Nigerian airlines however it is reported that the Nigerian government is committed to bring about an improvement in the aviation infrastructure which is in a poor state of repair and which has been marked as the greatest challenge to the airlines industry in Nigeria second only to that of the high costs of fuel.
political scenario illustrated that governments all over the globe are making their immigration rules more stringent because of the rise in terrorism; the implication of this phenomenon is a decrease in international traveling, which endangers continuance of a number of airlines, including Nigeria's Arik Air (Eze, 2010). Hofstede's power distance dimension denotes the degree to which unequal distribution of power is anticipated and accepted by the lower ranking members
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