Nigeria’s government says a new national airline – Nigeria Air – will start operations in December.
The country’s Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika unveiled the new airlines’ name and logo at an airshow in London.
The government is to invest almost $5m into the new national airline.
The previous national airline for Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria Airways collapsed 14 years.
The Nigerian government would have a maximum stake of 5% in the airline, according to the Aviation minister.
Hadi Sirika says “Nigeria has unfortunately not been a serious player in aviation for a long time. We used to be a dominant player, through Nigeria Airways, but sadly not anymore”.
“This will be a national carrier that is private sector led and driven. It is a business, not a social service.
The government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. The investors will have full responsibility for this”. he added.
Minister of State for Transportation (Aviation), @hadisirika, has been at @FIAFarnborough, negotiating aircraft orders with Airbus, Boeing and other OEMs, ahead of today’s unveiling of the National Flag Carrier. #NigeriaAtFarnborough
— Government of Nigeria (@AsoRock) July 18, 2018
PHOTO: Minister @hadisirika. The Unveiling event of Nigeria’s National Flag Carrier kicks off in a few minutes, at @FIAFarnborough. #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/KDdsh0hTpg
— Government of Nigeria (@AsoRock) July 18, 2018
Minister @hadisirika: New terminals in Lagos and Abuja Airports will add 11 million passenger capacity in each of the two airports. Lagos currently does 8 million per annum (was built in 1979 for 200,000 passengers annually), while Abuja does 5 million. #NigeriaAtFarnborough
— Government of Nigeria (@AsoRock) July 18, 2018
Source: Africafeeds.com
