Nigerian fast growing carrier, Azman Air has got mega plans for 2021 and beyond as it is warming up to acquire a second Airbus A340 aircraft to join its fleet. As part of the airline’s 2021 expansion plan and launch its Dubai route and other international destinations.
The plan is not acquiring just the Airbus A340 to dominate Nigerian aviation and beyond, the carrier is seeking three Boeing 737-800 aircraft and acquisition of 5 lower capacity aircraft to serve less passenger routes
The airline disclosed this via a tweet on January 4, 2020 saying,
“Mega Plans is underway @AzmanAir to dominate the Aviation Market in 2021 with Arrival of 2nd Airbus A340-600, Arrival of 3 Boeing 737-800 for West Africa and International Operations , Acquisition of 5 Lower Capacity Aircraft to serve less Pax Routes.”
According to a recent post by the airline, this second Airbus A340 would be used to launch international operations from Kano. Initially, the airline is eyeing services to China, Dubai, and Jeddah.
Azman Air took delivery of its first Airbus A340-600 back in March 2020. The aircraft which was retired by Virgin Atlantic in October 2019. Data from Planespotters.net suggests that the aircraft entered into service on November 28th and has completed three domestic flights in Nigeria before being ferried to Abu Dhabi, where it is believed to have been stored.
When it was delivered earlier in 2020, the unique layout of Azman Air’s A340 caught everybody’s attention. The aircraft features 411 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. However, there are also two business class seats right at the front of the cabin. Some readers have suggested that these would be used to facilitate crew rest.