Azman Air re-launches its Kano-Jeddah A340 service
Azman Air was granted international carrier status in June 2021 after successfully conducting a series of demonstration flights from Nigeria to Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Bahamas with its recently acquired Airbus A340-600.
Nigerian private carrier Azman Air has resumed service to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday 30 March, flight ZQ2350, which departed Mallam Aminu International Airport at 7:30 pm (local time), landed at King Abdelaziz International Airport at 1:40 am. The return flight landed in Kano in the early hours of Thursday 31 March. Azman Air had suspended its Kano-Jeddah service in December 2021 following a decision by Saudi authorities to ban flights from Nigeria amidst the resurgence of the Omicron variant.
Azman Air had suspended its Kano-Jeddah service in December 2021 following the Saudi authorities' decision to ban flights from Nigeria amidst the resurgence of the Omicron variant.
On this corridor, which is now operated without competition, Azman Air is lining up its Airbus A340-600. The aircraft, acquired in February 2020, can accommodate up to 413 passengers in a high density configuration. Earlier this month, the aircraft was mobilised by the airline for the repatriation of Nigerians fleeing the war in Ukraine from Budapest, Hungary.
The Kano-based carrier is also eyeing Dubai and the Chinese market as part of its international expansion. But in the meantime, it is continuing to consolidate its domestic market. Azman Air currently serves Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Gombe and Birnin Kebbi. Launched in 2010, its fleet also includes six Boeing 737s, two 737-300s and four 737-500s.
