AON, Others Working To Sabotage Nigeria Air, Sirika’

As the debate on the establishment of a national carrier, Nigeria Air continues, some stakeholders have alleged that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and some other interests are working to sabotage the Nigeria Air project and tarnish the image of the former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

AON members waged a relentless war against the take-off of Nigeria Air, some stakeholders alleged.

One of the stakeholders in the industry, Mohammed Adamu said the AON had also taken the Federal Ministry of Aviation to court and obtained an injunction to stop the process of takeoff of the airline.

He said the AON had also written to the immediate past president Muhammadu Buhari to stop the Nigeria Air process.

The AON in a letter to the then president wrote: “As your excellency is well aware, the administration will hand over on Monday, May 29, 2023 but the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, is planning to circumvent the court orders on Friday 26th May 2023 being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, amongst others.”

The AON tasked the President to stop the aircraft unveiling or risk “controversies on the action after the administration would have expired.”

Another stakeholder, Godfrey Okon, who said he operates travelling agency, said there has been an orchestrated grand plan by some airline operators to run a campaign of calumny against Sirika over his tenacity to float the national carrier, Nigeria Air.

He said even AON made good its threat and incited Nigerians against Nigeria Air and against Sirika.

He said Sirika tried his best for the industry, noting that “the minister protected local airlines and worked hard for them to get incentives, which include waivers in duties and VAT on aircraft and spares.”

He also ensured they got COVID-19 palliative even when federal government agencies under the Ministry of Aviation didn’t get as much support from the government.

On the benefits of a national carrier, air passengers said the planned national carrier will help reduce the price of air tickets that have spiked.

Some passengers who spoke at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja expressed optimism that Nigeria Air with Ethiopian Airlines as a technical partner will run an efficient and cost-effective airline business.