Nigerian carrier, Arik Air, has announced it will launch non-stop flights between Abuja and London Heathrow on 26 November 2009.

The new services will operate five times per week, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Outbound flights will depart Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.30 am (local time), arriving at London Heathrow at 4.05 pm (local time). Return flights will depart London Heathrow at 9.50 pm (local time), arriving in Abuja at 5.20 am (local time) the following morning.

The airline will also launch non-stop flights between Lagos and New York (JFK) on 29 November 2009. The new service will operate three times a week with outbound flights departing Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, while inbound flights will depart New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Flights from Lagos will depart at 11.20 pm (local time) and arrive New York JFK at 5.50 am (local time) the following morning. Flights will depart New York JFK at 10.00 pm (local time) and arrive Lagos at 2.40 pm (local time) the next afternoon.