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Slok Air to re-launch operations with Emirates partnership

By on May 10, 2014

Slok Air is  planning to  enter into a partnership with Emirates, which is expected to facilitate the return of the airline to business. Chairman of Slok Air and former Governor of Abia State,  Orji Uzor Kalu, disclosed in an interview in Lagos.

According to him,  with Emirates’ backing, Slok Air would do better in the domestic aviation market.
He said Slok Air was negotiating with Emirates on how to secure the maintenance of its aircraft before it could resume operations.

“Aviation business is the most difficult thing to do. When the plane goes up, you are in trouble; when the plane is on ground, you are in trouble. I can only do this if Emirates agrees to the partnership that we are discussing. As soon as we complete the discussion, Slok Air will resume domestic flights,” he said.

Kalu declared that Emirates is one of the best airlines in the world and Mr. Sheikh Ahmed is one of the best managers and the chairman of Emirates is the best chairman that I know.

“The chief executive officer of Emirates, Mr. Tim Clark is one of the best chief executives you can think about. Emirates is going to Kano and Abuja by August this year.So if they agree to maintain my aircraft locally and become our partner Slok Air will come back. Slok Air has advanced discussions to that effect. The discussions have been ongoing,” Kalu said.

He commended the federal government for granting the airline permission to re-launch its operations saying “Slok Air will contribute to the economic growth of the country.”

The former governor expressed optimism that resuscitating the airline would boost domestic air travel.

The airline was originally founded in Nigeria by the Slok Group. Its air operator’s certificate was suspended in March 2004 by the federal government and the airline was subsequently dissolved in November 2004. In the same month the airline was reformed as Slok Air Gambia Limited. Service was again halted in the end of December 2007 due to maintenance and was resumed mid-February 2008.

However, the company had financial  difficulties  which made the  creditors filled lawsuits against the firm, seeking payments.

 

[This Day]