Arik Air (W3, Lagos) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates (EK, Dubai International) aimed at developing and expanding their existing commercial relationship while exploring additional areas of co-operation. Emirates and Arik Air currently have a one-way interline agreement, whereby Emirates passengers are connected throughout Nigeria and West Africa via Arik Air’s domestic and regional network.

The MoU was signed in Dubai this week and was witnessed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Planning, Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs, and Chris Ndlulue, Arik Air’s Managing Director, at Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai.

“Both Emirates and Arik Air have expressed interest in exploring ways to expand on our existing commercial relationship and to look at different areas in which we can cooperate that will be mutually beneficial to both airlines, including seamless connectivity for our customers on our respective networks," said Kazim. "We also intend to explore the potential of code share arrangements as passenger traffic flows mature between both parties’ networks.”

Emirates and Arik Air will also explore other areas of cooperation for the future including frequent flier programmes, as well as passenger and cargo handling.

In December last year, Emirates signed an operational and commercial cooperation agreement, a precursor to a strategic cooperation agreement, with TAAG Angola Airlines (DT, Luanda 4 De Fevereiro).