Air Transport

Virgin Nigeria is to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-300 later this year as the Nigerian start-up begins to increase its fleet, writes Graham Dunn in Copenhagen.

The carrier, a joint venture between Virgin Atlantic and Nigerian investors, launched services three months ago and operates a mix of domestic, regional and long-haul routes from its Lagos base with two Airbus A320s and an A340. It plans to expand rapidly with the introduction of Boeing 737-300s.

Speaking during the Routes scheduling forum in Copenhagen, Virgin Nigeria chief commercial officer Graham Keddie said: “By the end of next year we’ll have 11 aircraft and over 15 routes. Our first 737 will come into service in December.” Under its fleet plan Virgin Nigeria aims to operate four A340s and seven Boeing 737s by end of 2006.