Arik Air says it has been formally
announced as the International Air Transport Association's (IATA)
latest member. According to the airline, the IATA membership
follows one year after Arik satisfied the requirements to be
registered on the IATA Operational Safety Audit's (IOSA) register.
It adds that the successful completion of the audit made Arik Air
the first Nigerian airline, that is currently operating under its
recently acquired FAA Category 1 endorsed AOC, to be placed on the
registry.
Arik explains that becoming a
member of IATA affords an airline a host of interlining and
code-share opportunities, adding it has already opened interline
agreements with Hahn Air and Emirates and is currently speaking
with a number of international carriers on code-share arrangements.
The airline has also joined up to the IATA Billing & Settlement
Plan (BSP) for Nigeria and Central and West Africa. "Joining IATA
is a huge achievement for any airline. So, needless to say, we are
very proud of the endeavor it has taken and success we have
achieved in reaching this landmark at only five years of age,"
notes Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Group CEO & President Arik
Air.