Aviation officials reveal that proposed December launch of Nigeria Air remains on track

AVIATION officials have revealed that the proposed new national carrier Nigeria Air remains on course to begin operations in December this year as it will soon be issued with an Air Transport Licence and an Aircraft Operators Certificate.

 

In July, at the Farnborough Air Show in Kent, in the UK, aviation minister Hadi Sirika, revealed the name and logo of the new airline, following extensive negotiations with several international airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Over the last decade Nigerian government officials have made several attempts to launch a national carrier to replace the defunct Nigeria Airways which collapsed in 2003.

 

After lengthy negotiations with the likes of Boeing and Airbus as well as airlines like BA, Qatar Air and Ethiopian Airlines, the new project was finally launched. According to Mr Sirika, a majority stake could be available to an overseas backer as the government seeks know-how and cash to help the start-up avoid the fate of former national carriers.

 

Speaking further on the airline yesterday, Captain Muhtar Usman, the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the proposed national carrier, will begin operations by December this year as proposed. He added that since the NCAA could deliver on the two major certificates within the 90 days stipulated by law, the airline was still on track for the December take-off.

 

Captain Usman said: “We still have more than 90 days to the end of the year, so, it is still feasible all things being equal. I am just talking from the regulatory point of view.”

 

According to Captain Usman, criticism of the proposed national carrier project had also reduced as most Nigerians were beginning to understand and buy into the idea. He said the project was still ongoing, adding that the government and other relevant stakeholders were working round the clock to ensure a successful take-off.

 

He added: “The Nigeria Air project arrangements will continue until it is delivered to the Nigerian people. Even though people are now quiet about it, this does not mean that the project has stopped at all.

 

“It is a process, the process is ongoing and it is transparent as people can see it is to get the best for Nigeria. Nigerians have been yearning for the gaps created by the lack of a strong and viable carrier that will meet the demands and potential of both the domestic market, regional and the international markets to be filled.”

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