Medview airline has taken delivery of a B777-200ER ahead of commencement of 2018 hajj operations.

The carrier plans to deploy the aircraft on the lucrative Lagos-London route in the winter after the Hajj airlift which begins next week.

Speaking at the hajj terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who led other officials including, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Abdul -Hakeem Abdul-Lateef and the airline Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pastor Michael Ajigbotosho to receive the aircraft, said its delivery was a dream come true.

Bankole added that ‘the lease-purchased aircraft was made possible after First Bank intervened in the wake of crisis some months ago’.

He noted that the aircraft would be used during the hajj operations which commence on July 25, adding that it may then be deployed to London route afterwards, while it awaits return of the one undergoing reconfiguration soon.

“This is one of our plans; over the years, we have been leasing aircraft for hajj/ international operations which have consumed much of our foreign reserves; so, at the beginning of this year, it was one of our dreams that it will be the end of leasing for international operations”.

Bankole who did not disclose the  cost of the aircraft said, “The cost is high when you lease, you invest so much money, both the capital and the equipment, and you don’t get something in return because the money goes out of the economy, so we use this opportunity to thank God and First Bank”.

“And in the wake of challenges, we have to address and present it to the bank and First Bank gave us a 10 percent window which empowered us to get this airplane. This airplane is a leased-purchase aircraft from Atmax, our partner in Canada, John Biden and his colleagues took a bold step, they said a lot of people are afraid to invest in Africa but he said he will work with us for a change. We are expecting two more jets”, he said.

Also speaking, Ishaq Na’Allah, Executive Director, Business Development of the airline, said the airline will commence airlifting pilgrims to Mecca and Medina by July 25, adding that it will airlift 10,000 people from six airports including: Lagos; Kaduna; Kano; Ilorin; Port-Harcourt and Maiduguri.

The aircraft  has a capacity of 323 passengers, with 25 being Business Class. Medview Airline has B777-200ER, B767-300ER, 3 B737-400 and 500 in its fleet and two more aircraft are expected to join the fleet by the end of August.

Bankole disclosed that the airline would recommence its London operations by this winter.

“We will return to London by this winter after the completion of the aircraft reconfiguration, we have got the slot already, we are reapplying and we are returning to the route”, he added.

The Medview boss however, lamented that after government announced the exemption of domestic airlines from paying Value Added Tax (VAT), the policy is yet to be implemented.

“But the VAT removal is yet to be implemented; we have heard of it but can’t feel it. We keep talking to FIRS, they keep chasing us.

You see, commercial operators don’t pay VAT, taxes and charges in other countries because it makes the airlines’ operations nosedive, let’s do the right thing.

From left  Captain Arnolo Nolten being received by  CEO Med-View  AirlinePLC, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State, Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef; and Chief Operating Officer, Med-View Airline PLC, Mr. Michael Ajigbotoso at the arrival of the newly acquired aircraft B777-200ER at Cargo Terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on 19/07/2018

From left  Captain Arnolo Nolten being received by  CEO Med-View  AirlinePLC, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State, Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef; and Chief Operating Officer, Med-View Airline PLC, Mr. Michael Ajigbotoso at the arrival of the newly acquired aircraft B777-200ER at Cargo Terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on 19/07/2018

From left Head of ground Operations, Med-View Airline PLC, Mr. Nouamane Zahouioni, CEO Med-View  AirlinePlc, Alhaji Muneer Bankole;  Chief Operating Officer, Med-View Airline PLC, Mr Michael Ajigbotoso and MD/CEO, Penguin Insurance Brokers Limited, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka  at Cargo Terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on 19/07/2018

Med-View   B777-200 ER aircraft  on arrival at Cargo Terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on 19/07/2018.