Since 2018 the Federal Government unveiled the logo of Nigeria Air at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, the national air carrier is yet to take its first flight. There has been series of legal issues and protocol hindering its commencement of service. In April 2023, the higher legislative chamber had announced that the air carrier could not take off without the chamber having a say on it. This was stated on March 30, 2023, through the Senate’s aviation committee in an interactive session with stakeholders in the industry.
Senator Biodun Olujimi, the chairman of the committee, had revealed that the National Assembly were notified of a court injunction involving the Federal Government and local carriers preventing the Ministry of Aviation from going ahead with the planned air carrier. Initially, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had presented a roadmap to the National Assembly on how to achieve the project. The government had chosen the Ethiopian Airline group to have a 49 percent stake in the venture, the FG to have only five percent, and the rest to be taken from local inventors.
First aircraft was finally delivered after a long process.
Nigeria Air has taken delivery of its first aircraft in Abuja. The Boeing 737-800 with retrofitted winglets was spotted at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and has finally arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, where it was met with a water cannon salute. The delivery has caused mixed reactions among Nigerians, especially on social media where some are disputing the ownership of the plane. The Nigeria Air project has been in discussion for nearly eight years. With this delivery, the public patiently waits to see if the airline will be launched before May 29th as Minister Sirika had promised.
After assuming the presidency in 2015, Muhammadu Buhari promised to revive the national carrier before the end of his term. This was followed by a launch of the logo in 2018. However, the Federal Government has been in constant battle to achieve this goal. The aviation minister had even vowed after the elections to launch the national carrier before leaving office. The 737 has been branded with the airline’s name. As it awaits unveiling, the aviation minister believes that the outgoing administration has achieved the goal of launching it.
Many challenges faced in launching Nigeria Air.
Undoubtedly, the process of receiving this first aircraft has been challenging. According to the planned structure, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has a 49-percent stake in the carrier, while the Nigerian government has five percent, with the rest belonging to the Nigerian Sovereign Fund. In April 2023, the CEO of ET Group, Ato Mesfin Tasew, said that the airline had agreed with the Nigerian government on all terms. However, the ongoing court case played a role in delaying the launch.
A group of Nigerian carriers under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) filed a lawsuit against Nigeria Air to have its air transport license revoked. Last month, a Federal High Court in Lagos barred the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from issuing the national carrier an Air Operators Certificate. The delivery of the new aircraft has heated the dispute between the AON and the aviation minister. Today, AON lawyers wrote a letter to the outgoing president asking him to stop the minister’s attempt to go against the court by launching the barred Nigeria Air project.
Can Nigeria Air defy the stereotype of the defunct Nigerian Airways?
It can be argued that Nigeria Air is a reincorporation of a national air carrier which was commonly known as Nigerian Airways. Nigerian Airways was founded in 1958 and ceased operations in 2003. The country owned 51 percent of the corporation and the model changed to 100 percent shareholding in 1961. Due to the failure of the Federal Government to commence to launch the carrier for eight years after the administration started, Nigerians have wondered if the new Nigeria Air will even take its first flight. Many are also of the sentiment that it would go the way of Nigerian Airways.
Related Link
Wikipedia: Website
Nigeria Air receives its first aircraft. – The Boeing 737-800 land in Abuja, met with water canon salute. – Express your point of view.
The arrival of Nigeria Air’s first aircraft is a positive development for the country’s aviation industry, and it is hoped that the airline will be successful in the long run.
We need to examine the truth of this Nigerian Air. We need to also ensure if this Nigerian Air really meets the requirements of being a Nigerian owned Aircraft. Also how this can affect and influence Nigeria positively.
The Buhari led Administration has suddenly woken to the reality that they haven’t achieve any tangible project that can be named after their administration. This has resulted in rush hour projects. Anyway, thank to this administration for bring back the Nigeria that was not functioning for sometimes now. We the first aircraft received into the country more are yet to come provide that all injunction have been cleared.
Nigeria Air receives its first aircraft this is nice it show we are progressing in our aviation sector more of this should continue to happen we we can be standard in aviation
Our airline receive it first aircraft this is a development to the sector finally we receive the aircraft it been long we are been awaiting this good news
At last we finally get to witness the Nigeria Air has take delivery of its first aircraft after several hurdles. This shows a progress in the aviation industry.
It is exciting to see Nigeria Air’s first plane touch down in the country, and we wish them the best of luck in their endeavours as things move on in the industry.
Nigeria Air receives its first aircraft. This a good development for the country, having first aircraft in this country is very nice. Congratulations
This is a great achievement for the country. Having first aircraft in Nigeria is a lot of improvement. More will be done, this is a starting point. Government should create enabling environment for more people