Arik Air is a wholly owned Nigerian airline with a commitment to the people of Nigeria to deliver new standards in aviation. Incorporated in 2004, it is the vision of Sir Arumemi-Ikhide, a leading and well respected Nigerian businessman who understands the need for efficiency and quality of service in business to succeed. He has spent many years traveling throughout his home country without the satisfaction of knowing that he can depend on the only transport service available to him. He also knows that competition is a healthy eye opener towards achieving efficiency.

In 2002 with the national airline in liquidation, Sir Arumemi-Ikhide decided to buy a Hawker jet aircraft for his own safety and convenience. The word got out, and before long his contacts in the gas and oil industry were using his aircraft to fly them around Nigeria. So he bought another one and before long Sir Arumemi-Ikhide had a Corporate Jet business.

He then set out to find the right people and the best aircraft to build an airline that would set new standards and change the face of the aviation industry in Nigeria - an airline that ‘Nigeria and the rest of the world would be proud to fly’.

On April 3, 2006, Arik Air took occupation of the former Nigeria Airways Limited facilities in Lagos, some three years after liquidation and major reconstruction work began immediately.

Seven months after taking occupation of the old Nigeria Airways’ premises and transforming it to a modern edifice, Arik Air was inaugurated on October 10, 2006 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by the then Aviation Minister, Professor Babalola Aborishade.

On 14th June, Arik took delivery of the two new build Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets that will fly domestic routes throughout Nigeria and to the African continent from summer 2006 together with two former United Airlines Boeing 737-322’s (1990) and three 50 seat Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets (2003). These aircraft have been totally overhauled and refurbished in preparation for flight. Arik Air also has plans to introduce intercontinental routes.

This is the time to deliver a new airline, an airline that has the best interest of the Nigerian traveller at heart, combined with a commercial head.