Nigeria's Arik Air has announced a deal for two 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes. The order is valued at $635 million at list prices and was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's website.
"Air travel within the region continues to grow at a rapid pace and we must prepare our fleet to accommodate that growth," said Sir JIA Arumemi-Johnson, owner and chairman of Arik Air. "Boeing's new 747-8 fits perfectly into our long-term planning. It brings the best operating economics for its size, which is important with the increase in fuel prices."
Arik Air is Nigeria's fastest-growing privately owned airline operating a large fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737s and serves more than 22 domestic, six regional and three long-haul routes. The airline plans to use the 747-8 on its key long-haul routes.
The new 747-8 Intercontinental features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort.
Using General Electric's GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 percent, says Boeing.
