New carrier Nigeria Air to begin flights by May despite backlash
ABUJA - Nigeria’s new carrier, the Nigeria Air, will start operations after years of attempts to float a national brand after the collapse of the Nigeria Airways 20 years ago.
“The new carrier which (will) commence local and international flights before May 2023, is a product of partnership with the Ethiopia Airways,” Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said at the National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023 in Abuja.
Sirika has been working to revive the country’s carrier for almost eight years.
“Local and international flights will commence soon by May 29. Negotiations between the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Nigerian government are ongoing. The next step is for the country’s Federal Executive Council to approve of the full business case,” Sirika said.
He said the airline would ensure the reduction in capital flight from Nigeria, maximise benefits of Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as well as develop the aviation hub.
“The national carrier will contribute to Nigeria’s gross domestic product, grow hospitality and tourism industry, promote agricultural sector as well as create more jobs,” he explained.
The Nigeria Air concept was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on July 18, 2018 but had not materialised because of the controversy over the modalities for its establishment, including working capital.
Nigeria Airways collapsed 20 years ago after it was rebranded in 1971 due to the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation which was founded in 1958. The airline was closed in 2003 due to large-scale corruption and lack of funds.–