Nigeria Air Will Be Ready To Fly Before May 29, Aviation Minister Announces

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's minister of state on aviation, has announced that Nigeria Air will become operational before May 29.

"Operation of local and international flights will commence soon. Before the end of this administration, before May 29, we will fly," Sirika said during the 10th National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023 in Abuja on Thursday, PremiumTimes reported.

"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 continued.

He said the work is 98% finished, adding that the implementation of this aviation roadmap cost around $14.166 billion.

"However, with the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the aviation sectors contribution from the current 0.6% to 5% (approximately $14.166 billion)," he explained. "A study showcases the significant contribution of air transportation to the national economy through providing 241,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and a contribution of $1.7 billion."

Sirika then pointed out the benefits of Nigeria Air, noting that it will contribute to Nigeria's GDP, encourage tourism, facilitate hospitality and growth, development of the Nigerian agricultural sector and create more jobs in Agro-Cargo Terminals.

Nigeria Air has been surrounded by controversies since 2018. Many Nigerians have criticized the idea of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration of starting a new airline after the previously established one, Nigeria Airways, was shut down because of corruption.

Buhari's term will come to an end in less than two months, but the administration said the new airline will be partly owned by the government, as a private partner is also involved with it.

Nigeria Air, which was first announced in July 2018, was supposed to act as a replacement for Nigeria Airways, which was liquidated in 2003. However, due to several controversies surrounding Nigeria Air, its launch did not push through.

One of the major controversies Nigeria Air has been faced with is the lack of transparency and clarity when it comes to its ownership. Although the government already revealed that the new airline would be funded by both public and private partners, it did not disclose the details of the private entities involved and the amount they would provide in funding the airline.

Another controversy surrounding the airline is the timing of its announcement, which came a few months before a national election. Nigerians began to wonder at the time if the announcement was a political move by the party.

Nigeria Air has also been accused of having an unoriginal logo, which was designed by a foreign firm.

The Nigerian government then announced in September 2018 that the launch of Nigeria Air would be suspended due to a lack of investor interest. The decision not to launch the airline drew criticisms, as it was allegedly a setback for the country's efforts in creating a national airline that could help improve its aviation sector.