...Bristow to compliment charter with helicopter service

Bristow Africa has expanded its jet charter service it launched on November 2015 between Lagos and Port Harcourt by adding the Lagos - Abuja flight.

The fixed-wing service which is a first class flight service for the oil companies and other corporate executives was launched on December 5, 2016. The company uses private terminal facilities that have business lounges with free internet service, complimentary refreshments and customer service personnel.

However ahead of the planned six-week closure of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) for repairs, the company which is a household name for helicopter services, is to support the charter service with helicopter services.

Its helicopter is expected to convey passengers from either Kaduna International Airport or any airport the company chose to operate from to Abuja during the closure.

According to Bristow Base Manager for Lagos, Mr. Ayo Stilo Oni, the Lagos-Abuja service would be complimented by helicopter services at a cheap rate.

He said, “We will make a choice on where to go that would be convenient and safe for our passengers. Then we would transport these passengers at very small fees with helicopters from the location to Abuja”.

The fixed-wing service operates two daily frequencies to Abuja and Port Harcourt using one of its two 37-passenger Embraer 135 while another 54-seater Embraer 145 would be added to beef up the operations.

Oni explained that the service is a deviation from the norm as it is virtually a business class operation. “We wanted to be exclusive. We wanted to provide a service that is different. We don’t have that service in Nigeria yet”. As part of the services, the company is also in talks with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to remodel two of the lounges at VIP section of the Abuja airport to bring it at par with those in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

The flights are configured in a two-by-one seating arrangement with every traveler having an aisle or window seat.