Arik Air to Resume 'Savannah Express' Service

Posted 28/11/2011

Independent Nigerian carrier Arik Air is to resume flights to the capitals of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali after suspending its operations into the countries just weeks after launching services earlier this year.  The West African carrier confirms that from December 6, it will offer a twice weekly flight under the ‘Savannah Express’ marketing brand that will operate on the Lagos – Cotonou – Ouagadougou – Bamako routing before terminating in the Senegalese capital Dakar.  The flight will be operated by a Bombardier CRJ900 with 10 Business Class and 64 Economy seats.

“The commencement of services between Lagos and the cities of Cotonou, Ouagadougou, Bamako and Dakar is significant because it marks the end to years of limited air links between Nigeria and the respective countries,” said Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Chief Executive Officer and President, Arik Air Group.  “The inauguration is coming at a time when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is seeking closer relations among countries in the region. Arik Air’s new services will help Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali to foster even stronger economic ties and cement economic relations.”

Arik Air already serves five destinations in West Africa with existing links to Accra (Ghana), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Banjul (Gambia), Dakar (Senegal) and Monrovia (Liberia).  Its latest route launch will bring its total international network to eleven destinations with eight regional African points now connected to its hubs in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

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