The Nigerian Government just announced the nation's new national airline, Nigeria Air, in London today at the Farborough Air fair.
Minister of state for Transportation, Hadi Sirika during the unveiling
The President Muhamamdu Buhari-led Federal Government has today in London, unveiled the name and logo of a new National Carrier, known as Nigeria Air.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who disclosed the name and logo at the Farnborough International Airshow in London during the unveiling, said the National Carrier will be private sector driven and not a “social service”.
“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 that the Federal Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier.
The Minister had in January disclosed that the National Carrier will be unveiled this year, although it could not be established as earlier said in 2017.
He has now reaffirmed the FG’s commitment to ensuring that the nation has a functional airline before the year ends.
On job creation, the minister said the establishment of the airline will create economic and job opportunities.
“We want to use this new private-sector-led airline to make a statement that, ‘Yes, Nigeria can do it!’ and we also want to promote our cultures and traditions. It will also create economic opportunities and jobs”.
The minister also noted that negotiations are ongoing concerning the aircraft for the airline which will be announced soon.
“We’ve been talking to Airbus and Boeing (and they’re present at this event) regarding the aircraft for #NigeriaAir, and we will be making announcements very soon. We are currently negotiating”.
Nigeria’s first national carrier was established in 1958 and stopped operations in 2003 with more than 30 aircraft on its fleet in the 1980s.