Ebola virus:Arik Air suspends fights to Liberia , Sierra Leone

By Chuks Okoh
As a result of the first Ebola virus death officially confirmed in Lagos, involving a Liberian national who flew on a foreign (Non-Nigerian) regional based airline from Monrovia via Lome (Togo) into the city last week, Arik Air has announced the suspension of its operations into Monrovia (Liberia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) effective July 28, 2014.
According to a release signed by the head of corporate communication of Arik Mr Banji Ola said the suspension will be in force until further notice. adding that the decision was a pre-cautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the precious lives of Nigerians.
He said Arik Air was taking this important step as a concerned corporate citizen bearing the interest of Nigerians at heart. “We acknowledge the steps that the Federal Government of Nigeria is currently undertaking to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus; however, we feel especially compelled to take the business decision to immediately suspend flight services into the two Ebola affected countries due to our interest in the well being of Nigerians”.
He noted that at the early stages of the contagion’s development across West Africa, the Gambian Government took the proactive decision to stop airlines (including Arik Air) from bringing inbound passengers from Monrovia, Conakry (Guinea) and Freetown into Banjul. He said, in line with the actions taken by the Gambian Government,that they hope the Federal Government of Nigeria shall take all steps necessary to control and curtail the spread of the virus.
“At Arik Air, our core vision and purpose is, “to provide world-class experiences and services which are safe, reliable and continually contribute towards both improved user quality of life as well as the elevation of Nigeria’s global standing.”
“Motivated by this guiding principle, we would, therefore like to assure our guests (and indeed all Nigerians) that their continued safety shall always be at the forefront of all business decisions taken by Arik Air.Fly safe, fly well, fly Arik Air” Said Ola.