africanflyer

Nigeria-based Bellview Airlines has commenced nonstop services to London Heathrow from Lagos, Nigeria. The airline operated the route via Freetown, Sierra Leone since 2004. Flights are operated using B762 aircraft on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with daytime outbound service, and night-time flights on the way back to Lagos.

Bellview Airlines started service between Freetown, Sierra Leone and Johannesburg, South Africa via Douala, Cameroon late last week. Flights are operated 2x per week on Mondays and Thursdays using B762 aircraft.

B3264 FNA - DLA: 500 - 1130
B3264 DLA - JNB: 1230 - 1830
B3265 JNB - DLA: 2100 - 300
B3265 DLA - FNA: 400 - 900

The Nigeria-based Guardian Newspaper reports that the government of Nigeria is designating two airlines to fly to the United States. Bellview Airlines is designated as one to fly to Newark, New Jersey, while Arik Air, a new startup, is designated to fly to Atlanta, Georgia, in addition to serving London in the United Kingdom. Currently, only North American Airlines flies between the United States and Nigeria, while Delta and Continental are expected to follow suit.

Nigeria’s aviation ministry has announced that North American Airlines will commence a 3x per week service between New York and Lagos effective May 2006, and will form a partnership with local airline, Bellview Airlines. The exact start date nor schedule have not been announced as of yet.

EDIT -

Flights will now be operated effective July 17 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays using B763 aircraft.

NA131 JFK - LOS: 1500 - 645
NA132 LOS - JFK: 1155 - 1825

Flight International reports that Bellview Airlines will begin a fleet replacement process effective the fourth quarter of 2006. The airline will bring in A320s that will operate on routes currently flown with six B737s.

Bellview Airlines has added a B733 to its fleet, joining its B732s and B762s. The aircraft comes from JAT Airlines along with 22 expatriate crew and maintenance personnel. The airline has indicated that it plans to add another three B733s to its fleet.

Following the recent crash of a B732 that had shortly taken off from Lagos, Nigeria, and investigations into its causes, the government of Nigeria has grounded Bellview Airlines until complete aircraft inspections are carried out.

Bellview Airlines, based in Lagos, Nigeria, is to start 2x per week service to Bombay, India effective June 20. Flights will be operated nonstop on Tuesdays and Fridays with a B767.

B3270 LOS - BOM: 2000 - 1030
B3271 BOM - LOS: 2100 - 0700