According to Bloomberg, the new national carrier, Nigerian Air, will begin operations in October this year.
Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, which holds a 49% share in Nigeria Air, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday that the company is excited to see the airline begin flying domestic and international routes.
In 2022, Ethiopian Airlines won the bid to run the projected Nigeria Air in contentious circumstances, as local players protested that the business was given an unfair edge during the bidding process.
According to the CEO, the airline will commence operations with two wide-body planes and six narrow-body planes. He explained, “We are eager to see the airline start flying and connecting the local market to the international market”
He also stated that Ethiopian Airlines, utilising its proven strategy, aims to provide Nigeria with a flag carrier.
According to him, “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.”
Tasew also commented on Nigeria’s challenging business environment, but voiced hope based on the size of the Nigerian economy and its inherent potential.
Nigeria Air, which debuted in London in 2018, has been mired in controversy since its inauguration by former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika less than three days before the conclusion of the Buhari administration.
Before Sirika acknowledged that the aircraft used for the launch belongs to Ethiopian Airlines, questions were raised about who owned it.
