20th June, 2013
Nigeria’s largest airline, Arik Air, has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners at $297 million, Bombardier Aerospace announced on Wednesday from Paris, France, where the deal was signed.
The Canadian-based firm said Arik Air would be the first airline to operate the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft in Africa.
“Based on the list price of the CRJ1000 NextGen and Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract announced today (Wednesday) is valued at approximately $297 million US,” said Marc Duchesne of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“Nigeria-based airline first to operate the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft in Africa,” said Bombardier, the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains.
Arik Air currently has a fleet of 23 aircraft, including four CRJ900 aircraft, two Q400 NextGen aircraft as well as two Airbus A340-500 among others.
Banji Ola, Arik Air spokesperson said he did not have details about the delivery date.
“It was just signed yesterday. I don’t have details on the delivery,” he said on Thursday.
—Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent