IKEJA- The fleet renewal programme in the nation’s aviation industry has received a boost as Virgin Nigeria took delivery of its first EMBRAER 190 aircraft from Brazil.
The airline had in November 2007, at the Dubai Air Show, announced that it ordered for seven EMBRAER 170s and three EMBRAER 190s, all of which were Advanced Range versions.
The purchase also provides options for six EMBRAER 190s and purchase rights for another eight E-Jets, all of which were worth more than $811 million. Receiving the aircraft, Mr. Conrad Clifford, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Nigeria, said the airline would deploy its set of E-jets to enhance operations on its domestic, regional and international routes. “Our commitment is to give customers more value for their money.
We are proud to be the first carrier to introduce this technologically-advanced aircraft in the African Sub-Saharan region,” Clifford said. Mr. Mauro Kern, Executive Vice President, Embrarer Airline Market, said it was a honour to welcome a new EMBRAER 190 operator in Africa.
“We are happy to support Virgin Nigeria, one of the youngest and most energetic carriers in Africa, with the superior contribution of the E-Jets”, he said. He said his organisation would soon announced its expansion plans into other parts of the continent. The EMBRAER 190, the first E-Jet delivered to Virgin Nigeria, would assist the airline’s growing domestic and regional network, by providing the right capacity for its current routes.
The airline said the aircraft would also be used to develop international market and feed the Lagos hub with its long-haul operations.
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