04 June 09

VIRGIN NIGERIA TAKES DELIVERY OF 2 NEW EMBRAER AIRCRAFT, APPOINTS KEY OFFICERS

Lagos Nigeria, 4th June 2009: Virgin Nigeria Airways, the nation’s flag carrier is to take delivery of two brand new Embraer aircraft this month to boost its operations just as it has announced the appointment of key personnel to man its operations.

The 96 and 76 seater aircraft respectively are to boost Virgin Nigeria’s present business model which is currently made up of Boeing and Embraer aircraft models.

The two new aircraft according to the Managing Director designate of the airline, Captain Dapo Olumide is coming at a time when the airline seek to integrate its operational business plan with modern aircraft in its fleet.

Captain Olumide further said: “the entry of both aircraft is a pointer of the emphasis of President Umar Yar’Adua towards repositioning the Nigerian aviation sector to have newer generation aircraft in its airspace”

‘’The latest additional aircraft to the fleet of Virgin Nigeria will be further deployed on Virgin Nigeria’s growing domestic and regional network to meet up passengers’ demand especially as the airline has embarked on an aggressive route roll out plans’’, Olumide added.

The entry of the aircraft is coming as the Managing Director designate announced key appointments, which saw Richard Murphy been appointed as the airline’s new Director of Engineering Services. Murphy who had been overseeing the Engineering department of Virgin Nigeria over the years is bringing years of experience as an Aircraft Engineer to the airline.

Also announced is Erwin Zeiler who has been named as Head of Aircraft Maintenance. Zeiler comes with over 12 years experience managing the maintenance, planning, fixed wing department of Aero Contractors. Zeiler is to maintain the outstanding level of programme and aircraft maintenance as well as act as team leader of the aircraft maintenance department in line with manufacturers and approved manuals of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Captain Olumide also announced Joshua Amara as the new Quality and Safety Manager to oversee the airline’s quality assurance status while Tunde Oyetayo has been named the Technical Services Manager.

Other appointments which includes the commercial department, saw Morayo Omoyajowo former regional manager, as head of Sales Nigeria; Femi Kukoyi, Head of sales Outstations; Gbolahon Odutayo, Regional Sales Manager, West and Mobolaji Arabome has been named the eagleflier Manager.