Vanguard learnt that Arik Air was invited to the Forum, which held August 2 to 3, 2010, for facilitating trade between the U.S. andAfrica, especially in view of the volume of investment it had put intoaircraft acquisition, mainly from Boeing Corporation.
Speaking at the Forum, which had in attendance U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State forAfrican Affairs, William Fitzgerald; President of United States’Export_Import (EXIM) Bank, Mr. Fred Hochberg, acknowledged Arik Air’scontributions to the growth of aviation in Africa and trade relationswith the U.S.
Hochberg noted that Arik Air had significant trade major with U.S. companies, stressing that the airline had the largest fleet of Boeingaircraft in Africa, and had invested over $4.57 billion in Boeingaircraft acquisition, including orders.
He said the airline had also done $220 million worth of transactions with US EXIM Bank; purchased about $1 million explosive and narcotictrace devices from General Electric, GE; and $3 million screeningmachines from Rapiscan, among others.
Hochberg particularly referred to the commitment of the airline to develop the air transport sector in West and Central Africa.
Arik Air Chairman, Sir Arumemi Ikhide who was invited to speak on facilitating trade through investment and infrastructure showcasedachievements of Arik Air as a model for all of Africa and its stridesat making Nigeria a hub for travel to the continent.
In his presentation at the Forum, which also had in attendance ministers of trade and commerce from several African countries, SirArumemi_Ikhide, also made allusions to the current and planned fleetacquisition (new orders from Boeing and Airbus), route structure,unique training programme, first class maintenance support fromLufthansa Technik, and plan to build a first class maintenance facilityin Africa, OCC.
He also listed the recent AOC re-certification by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, as part of efforts at attaining UnitedStates’ Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Category 1.
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