The Airbus A340-500 is a long range aircraft which has the capacity to accommodate between 295 and 389 seats and is used for long haul flights. Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja, the group managing director/Chief Executive, Union Bank of Nigeria plc, Barth B. Ebong, explained that the bank decided to finance the purchase of the airplane to help galvanise the aviation industry which has suffered long-time neglect in the country to greater heights.
According to Ebong, “the bank will continue to support other airlines that show the dynamic management to develop and expand their fleets with the facility the bank will make available to them.â€
The Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Arumemi-Johnson, while acknowledging the contributions of the Nigerian government, financial institutions and the international community at the ceremony, stressed that the acquisition of the new Airbus was a major step towards its aggressive expansion plans which includes adding new international destinations to its network.
The Chairman specifically thanked the management of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc for its immense financial contribution towards the acquisition of the first brand new Airbus A340 – 500 in Africa, noting that the Bank has been consistent in this regard.
The acquisition of the brand new Airbus financed by Union Bank of Nigeria Plc was celebrated at a colourful handover ceremony witnessed by the presence of top government functionaries and ambassadors including the Secretary to the Federal Government, Alhaji Ahmed Yayale, the Governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa States, Foreign diplomats including the British High Commissioner to Nigeria as well as the French and Spanish ambassadors to Nigeria.Â
In recognition of its financial support to the growth of Arik Air, the Bank was conferred with Arik Air Aviation Hall of Fame Award presented to Ebong by the Chairman of Arik Air.