Medview Airline has commenced direct flight operations from Lagos to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via Kano with plans to start flight operations from Abuja to Kano and from Lagos to Kano from Monday, January 4, 2016 as part of plans to solidify Saudi Arabia operations.
The airline today commenced its Lagos to Jeddah via Kano operations providing the first direct flight to, Saudi Arabia and cutting the flight time immensely so those that look to spending fewer hours airborne and those who would rather not transit.
The Executive Director, Technical Services, Med-View Airline, Engr. Lookman Animashaun who spoke to journalists said that the airline has been allocated four slots weekly at the King Abdulazeez International Airport, Jeddah, but would commence with two slots weekly for now.
He said,”On our inaugural flight, we are having 44 passengers to Jeddah; 28 from Lagos and 16 from Kano. The passenger traffic would improve with time. The only competitor we have on that route is Saudi Air, which only flies from Kano Airport. Other airlines like Egypt Air, Kenya Airways and many others fly to Jeddah from their base. This is a direct flight.
“This is one good thing Nigerians would love. Under four hours, you are in Jeddah from Kano and within five and half hours, you are in Jeddah from Lagos. Also, our luggage allowance is also a major factor for us. We are offering 64kg for our economy passengers; 32kg each and 96kg for business class passengers.
The airline’s Boeing 737-800 flies to the Saudi Arabia on Thursdays and Saturdays and according to the Executive Director, the plane can be changed as passengers increase because there is a Boeing 767-300 on standby for the service.
Animashaun noted that like its London route, it would attract passengers with lower fare regime with the introductory fare of N159, 000.
He noted that Med-view entered the route as a Nigerian flag carrier to supply the missing link which includes capacity, reasonable fares, good customer care and excellent in-flight entertainment.
He said, “We have an approval for four slots weekly, but we will be starting with two flights weekly for now. We also have approval to go to Jeddah from Abuja. With that, we would be able to satisfy our customers on that route.
On the Abuja-Kano, Lagos –Kano flights, Animashaun also disclosed that it would on Monday and would depart Lagos at 15:15 and arrive Kano an hour later.
