Arik Air, Nigeria�s largest commercial airline, has formally been accepted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as its newest member.
This follows Arik�s satisfaction of IATA Operational Safety Audit�s (IOSA) requirements since applying for membership about a year ago.
Becoming a member of IATA affords an airline a host of interlining and code-share opportunities. Arik has already opened interline agreements with Hahn Air and Emirates and is currently in talks with a number of international carriers on code-share arrangements.
Arik has also joined up to the IATA Billing & Settlement Plan (BSP) for Nigeria and Central and West Africa. Despite reports to the contrary last week, IATA have confirmed that Arik was not suspended from the IATA BSP.
Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President Arik Air, noted that joining IATA is a huge achievement for any airline, adding, �Unfortunately, we had to handle a lot of inaccurate reports and maligned press about Arik being suspended from the BSP or having been suspended from IATA last week, so we are happy to quash these negative reports now and inform everybody that we are in fact only formally announcing our membership today.
�The membership provides us the ability with which to link our markets, products and services to the rest of the world via partnerships and associations and we are keen to do so.
Consolidating our position in West & Central Africa is the key strategy for the airline going forward and we are well-placed to work with other carriers who similarly view the region as an opportunity to develop a cohesive and safe network.�
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