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The Federal Government has announced the creation of startup carrier named Nigeria Air, which will be launched in December 2018 with a fleet of 15 leased aircraft. Nigeria Air plans to operate 30 aircraft within three to four years.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika unveiled the startup carrier, Nigerian Air during a press conference in Farnborough Air Show in London yesterday. He said “It is a business, not a social service. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. The investors will have full responsibility for this.” It also stated that it was currently running an aviation road map that includes airport concession, aerotropolis, an aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul centre, agro allied terminals, the national carrier and an aircraft leasing company”
According to a statement by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, James Odaudu, the government came up with the name after it engaged over 400,000 people on social media. The ministry said extensive market research was carried out, which involved focus groups across the country and over 100 interviews with aviation stakeholders and professionals, politicians as well as business owners.
A Consultancy firm Airline Management Group (AMG) was appointed in February as the government’s lead transaction adviser for Nigeria Air. AMG national carrier transaction adviser Tilmann Gabriel explained that the whole airline is being built according to IOSA standards. He also said that Nigeria Air will launch with domestic flights, before branching out into African regional services and intercontinental flights, especially London International flights which will begin by mid-2019.
The event was attended by stakeholders, aircraft manufacturers, prospective investors and Nigerian government delegation, including the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari. Others, who were in attendance, include Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation Senator Adamu Aliero and Chairperson, House Committee on Aviation Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
