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ARIK AIR, West Africa�s largest commercial airline, has been declared the fastest growing airline in Africa according to latest statistics released by the influential Airline Network News and Analysis (anna.aero). This is the second year in a row that Arik will be named the fastest growing African airline. The airline�s scheduled capacity is up almost 30 per cent after growing by 50 per cent in the previous year. While the capacity for all airlines serving Africa may be up almost 4 per cent, the top three airlines (South African Airways, Egyptair and Royal Air Maroc) are all reporting notable capacity reductions compared to a year ago. Speaking on the rating, Arik Air�s Vice President Planning & Marketing, Bert van der Stege said: �Arik is very happy to be awarded fastest growing African Airline again, which shows that we see a lot of potential in developing air transport in this part of the world. If we continue to grow at this pace, we will soon be among the top three carriers in Africa.� Anna.aero�s Reader Relationship Manager, Sheng Pang elaborated: �With its growing fleet of modern aircraft, serving domestic, regional and inter-continental services Arik Air has been a breath of fresh air in the African airline market. We look forward to reporting on many more route launches for the airline in the months and years ahead.� Airline Network News & Analysis is a totally free and open website dedicated to outstanding airline network planning intelligence, produced by a multi-disciplinary team led by Ralph Anker, a former network planner with Go and easyJet. Arik Air is Nigeria�s leading commercial airline. It now operates a fleet of 24 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft including two Airbus A340-500 making the airline the first operator of the wide bodied aircraft in Africa.