ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES SEEKS FURTHER EXPANSION IN WEST AFRICA AS TALKS OVER THE FUTURE OF ARIK AIR ARE ON
(Posted 31st August 2017)
Information is emerging that Ethiopian Airlines appears to be in direct negotiations with the Nigerian government, aiming to take over the management of the financially crippled Arik Air, which in recent years had emerged as the best hope for Africa’s largest economy to have a functioning airline again, before troubles struck them too.
The Nigerian government took control of Arik Air a couple of months ago and has apparently invited expressions of interest from foreign airline groups to take over the management, and route rights, of Arik.
Carriers from overseas have been treading cautiously given the history and troubles of Virgin Nigeria but considering Ethiopian’s experience of successfully managing African partner airlines like ASKY and Malawian Airlines, they do not seem to harbour such sentiments.
If successful, and few have doubts about the seriousness of Ethiopian’s offer to the Nigerian government, it would catapult Ethiopian Airlines, already Africa’s leading carrier in terms of passengers, routes, fleet and profitability, into the top league of international carriers.
