ARIK Air has extended its technical partnership with German airline Lufthansa for five more years in a deal designed to guarantee the delivery of spare parts and the maintenance of its air fleet.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cityline will continue to provide technical support to Arik Air in the areas of line maintenance, base maintenance and materials and pool spare parts for the next five years. Ola Adebanji, an Arik spokesperson, said Lufthansa Technik would also assist Arik Air in the area of personnel training and the establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul facility in Nigeria.
Clemens Schrettl, Lufthansa’s sales and marketing director, said he was impressed with the outcome of the meeting, describing the deliberations as fruitful. Arik and Lufthansa have had an agreement for the last five years and this extension of the pact is expected to avoid any of the technical shortcomings that other airlines in Nigeria face.
Mr Schrettl, said: “Lufthansa is happy with the partnership they have had with Arik over the last five years and that is why we are here today to renew that cooperation and seek further areas of cooperation with the airline. We are looking at taking this partnership to the next level.”
Technik and Cityline have a combined workforce of 50 engineers dedicated to Arik Air’s aircraft maintenance. Chris Ndulue, Arik’s vice president and managing director, who led the airline’s team to the meeting, thanked Lufthansa for its technical support over the years.
He said: “Our association with Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cityline has been of great advantage in the maintenance of our young aircraft fleet. It also underscores our commitment to ensuring safety of our passengers at all times.”
