Arik Air, Nigeria’s leading commercial airline, today announced that it has appointed Mr. Jason Holt as its new Managing Director, effective Monday 19 October 2009. Mr Holt comes from Arik Air’s London office where, for the past 18 months he has worked as a consultant and advisor, supporting the airline as it integrated its brand new Airbus A340-500 fleet into its operations.

Announcing the new appointment in Lagos, the Chairman of Arik Air Limited, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide said: “Mr. Holt is a highly experienced, senior airline industry professional. He has spent close to three decades working in the international aviation industry and in his recent advisory capacity he has already made a considerable and highly valued contribution to Arik Air’s international expansion. I am delighted to have him seconded to lead Arik Air through its next growth phase.”

 

Mr. Holt is not new to Nigeria or Nigerian aviation. He was Director of Flight Operations at Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited at its inception in 2005 where he secured the carrier’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), led the acquisition of its Boeing and Airbus fleet and structured its operational teams. Previously, he was also Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Head of Safety in the UK.

 

During 2006-2007, Mr. Holt was Director of Flight Operations for BMED Limited, a British Airways’ franchise and was instrumental in establishing a safe, punctual and cost-efficient Airbus operation across the airline’s Central Asian, African, Near East and Levant networks. He was also formerly the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Saudi Arabia’s National Air Services Limited (NAS), responsible for all aspects of flying, technical support and airport passenger facilities.

 

Accepting his secondment, Mr. Holt said: “In performing my recent advisory role to Arik Air, I have been privileged to be part of a team that has helped Arik Air secure its position as a world class airline and set its footprints in the international markets. I am delighted to now be returning to Lagos to take up this position at the airline’s headquarters and to lead Arik Air’s continued expansion in the domestic, regional and international markets.”

 

The 46 year-old pilot has an Executive MBA from London Business School, IT Sloan School of Management and Harvard Law School. A former UK Royal Air Force Officer, Mr. Holt is a member of the Aviation Club of the UK and a Fellow of the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society.

 

Arik Air is Nigeria’s leading commercial airline. It operates a fleet of 29 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft. The airline currently serves 20 airports across Nigeria as well as Accra (Ghana), Banjul (Gambia), Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Niamey (Niger), London Heathrow (UK) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

 

The airline currently operates 120 flights daily from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja and employs a workforce of more than 1,700.

 

For more information, visit www.arikair.com