According to Bloomberg reports, the new national carrier, Nigerian Air, is set to commence operations by October this year.
Then, in May 2023, Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika launched the airline just 48 hours before the end of his administration, along with an aircraft. This move sparked a considerable nationwide controversy.
According to ownership breakdown, Ethiopian Airlines holds 49 percent, the federal government holds five percent, and Nigerian private investors (including SAHCO, MRS, and other institutional investors) hold 46 percent of the new airline.
The chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, revealed that the airline will commence operations 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
