The Nigerian Government said the country airline known as Nigeria Air will commence operations before President Muhammadu Buhari leave office on May 29, 2023 when his successor, Bola Tinubu, President-Elect is sworn in
Penpushing reports that Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, gave the hint at the ongoing National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023 in Abuja on Thursday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that negotiation was ongoing with relevant authorities on it
‘Operation of local and international flights will commence soon. Before the end of this administration, before May 29, we will fly. Negotiation meetings with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria is ongoing. Next step: Federal Executive Council approval of the Full Business Case”, Sirika said
Penpushing further reports that the minister emphasised that the benefits Nigeria stands to derive from the establishment of the national carrier include reduced capital flight from Nigeria, maximisation of the benefit of Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and development of an aviation hub.
The Minister added that the National carrier will contribute to the country’s GDP, facilitate hospitality and tourism, facilitate growth and development of the Nigerian agricultural sector, and create jobs around the Agro-Cargo Terminals.
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the national carrier idea was raised many years after Nigeria’s defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, collapsed due to corruption and poor management, while last July, the Federal Executive Council approved the leasing of three aircraft to enable the airline to commence operations.
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