The last may not have been heard about the national carrier, Nigerian Air, as Ethiopian Airlines, announced, on Thursday, that the controversial airline will begin flight operations in October, 2023.
LEADERSHIP reports that the new carrier was first unveiled in 2018 during Farnborough International Airshow, London and in May 2023, Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika launched the Air carrier 48 hours before the end of his administration with an aircraft. A development which created a significant uproar nationwide.
A breakdown of the ownership of the airlines shows that Ethiopian Airlines own 49 per cent, the federal government five percent, 46 per cent by Nigerian private investors (SAHCO, MRS and other institutional investors).
But, speaking to Bloomberg TV, the chief executive officer, Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, said the airline will begin operation with two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft.
Tasew said, “The airline will begin operation with two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft. We are eager to see the airline start flying and connecting the local market to the international market.”
“Ethiopian Airlines will manage the operation. It is a proven model and the objective is to enable Nigeria to have a flag carrier.
“The prime objective is to enable Nigeria to have an air carrier. Ethiopian Airlines will have a management contract. Effectively, Ethiopian Airlines will manage the airline to be successful.
“We own a 49 per cent stake in the airline, the Nigerian government 5 per cent together while other institutional investors own the rest.
Tasew expressed optimism based on the size of the Nigerian economy and the potential inherent in it.
Nigeria Air will start flying 15 domestic routes and then expand to West African cities as well as international routes including London, New York, and Shanghai.
According to him, the objective of the national carrier was to enable Nigeria to have a flag carrier.
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